That person was Evan—Daniel’s estranged son.
Daniel had never told me about Evan. He was ashamed of their past and afraid I would see him differently. Before dying, however, he hid a letter beneath a loose porch step. The watch contained a clue leading me there.
Inside the envelope, Daniel apologized for his secrets and explained everything about Evan. He had hoped his son would someday return, but he never got another chance to repair their relationship.
The next morning, I met Evan at a small diner outside town. When he walked in, I immediately saw Daniel in his eyes. I placed the old watch on the table. Evan stared at it and whispered, “He wore that the only day I ever met him.” For the first time, two strangers connected by the same man began uncovering the family history Daniel had taken to his grave.
