On Our 21st Birthday, We Received a Mysterious Box—We Gasped When We Saw What Was Inside

refused to let Mom help. One bundle had Leila’s name written across the top. One had mine. The last had both our names.

My hand flew to my mouth.
Leila leaned closer, her eyes wide and wet.

“She really made these?” she breathed.

Mom nodded, pressing her fingers against her lips. “She worked on them for weeks. Some days, she was too tired to sit up, but continue reading …