Snow fell soft and slow over the Christmas town. Finn followed a warm golden glow under the hedge and stopped short.
The door had a brass sign: Mail Held Until Ready. Finn's fingers tingled as he turned the knob. The door creaked open.
Inside, the air smelled like cedar and hot chocolate. Towering shelves held thousands of sealed letters, waiting.
Finn reached out and pulled one letter free. He held it up and read the words inside.
The letter read: Dear Mrs. Lin, I am sorry I never said thank you for sharing your cookies. A single teardrop landed on the paper. The envelope flutter-shook like a startled bird.
Finn scurried to the counter. An elderly postmaster sorted envelopes by hand. 'Someone should read this,' Finn said, pressing the letter forward.
The postmaster's eyebrows rose, then softened. 'These letters wait until someone is ready to carry their words. You're ready.'
That night, Finn crept through the snow to Mrs. Lin's house. He tucked his note under her doormat.
It was a simple drawing: two cookies and a big smiley face.
The next morning, Finn peeked through the hedge. He wanted to see what would happen.
Mrs. Lin held his drawing. Her shoulders shook with happy laughter. Snow sparkled around them.
Finn watched from behind the hedge and smiled. Some letters find their way home after all.
