Pearl 26 The sound of breaking wood startled Rafe. He looked up to see what had made the noise but seeing no one decided it was an animal. Looking back into the box he saw another piece of paper, one he didn't recognize from that day. Opening it slowly he came to a letter.

Dearest Rafe and Danny,
I am not sure where father is taking me now. He told me to be ready to leave tonight. I miss you both so much. It was really hard after you both left; I never realized what I would miss the nights Danny would send me to Rafe's house. It is hard to write to the both of you at once, but I am not sure when I will hear from you again. I know there will be no forwarding address; Father owes money on his gambling debts. He wants to leave without paying.
Rafe, I saw your father today as well, he came to the house. He was worried because I hadn't been over. He gave me all the pictures he could of the three of us. I love them already. They were packed before Father could see them.
I trust you to find me when you come back from all of this. You promised that we would be together again I am sure that you are both off doing wild and crazy things just like always. I have to go before Father finds me. Just know that whatever happens you both raised me well and that I am who I am because of all that you both have done for me.
Till we meet again, all my love
Izzy-bell


Rafe folded up the letter after reading it. He knew that she had taken the time to write slowly and carefully so if he found it first he would be able to understand her message. He had been back for a while now and this was the first time he had thought of the box. Iz had found him. Another broken promise Rafe knew was held in that box.
Looking through the other papers he saw only one that they had managed to keep was the one about naming the children. All the others had been broken somewhere along the line. Rafe had broken two this morning. His mind flashed back to earlier that day seeing Iz flinch and then pushing her away. He remembered hearing a hiss of pain as she hit the counter. Seeing the tears that were in her eyes.
Dropping back to the ground Rafe let the papers fall from his hands. He sat there trying to get control of his emotions. Hearing another sound he looked up and into the eyes of Iz.