"Dearest Susan, I am sending you this deed to my house now, as I am very ill. You, my darling, have inherited my home. It has been in my family for hundreds of years and many generations. My own great, great, great, great, great grandfather designed and built this house. I hear that you have a younger sister. What is her name? I know you must have many questions about what happened with your mother and I and why I left. Please know that I always have and always will love you. I left because it was best for you. And your mother. I am glad that your mother and you have moved on with your lives. I miss you, Susan. Please remember that you can always come to me for anything. I know you are only fifteen, but this house belongs to you now. Take care of it for me, my dear. Treasure it always, in remembrance of me. Love always, Clifford Johnston" Dan read to Zoe.

She could just stand there. She didn't know what to say. This man, Clifford, who was he? Obviously someone pretty important to Sue. But wouldn't Sue mention someone of such importance to her?

Dan felt uncomfortable, so he decided to break the silence. "Wow. Who's this Clifford guy?"

"I...I don't know. I thought she told me everything about her important parts of life. I guess I was wrong." Tears were filling Zoe's eyes again.

"No, Zoe, maybe it was something your mother didn't want you to know. It mentioned something about 'what happened between your mother and this guy, Clifford."

"Wait," Zoe said, "his name was Clifford. Obviously he meant something to Sue, because she named Cliff after this man."

"Well, if you're going to know anything about what all this means, you'd better go to the house."

"Yeah. Umm... Dan, could you, please, come with me? I really don't want to have to see this old house alone."

"I'm waiting until you're ready" he said kindly.