Flicking on the light, the stark white envelope drew my attention immediately. Precisely positioned in the center of my work table and surrounded by a rough half-circle of all the books and objets d'art that had occupied that space before.

Gingerly stepping around the table, and checking the floor for shattered bits or displaced items along the way, my path brought me to the crisp paper, the familiar scrawl across its surface raised questions. But only opening it would provide the answers.

'Danny,

Ginny says hi. Doug says hi. Chris and Christy say hi. Not that they can actually say hi, but...'

My mind flashed back to an earlier letter, the scene crystal clear before me.

"What's that?"

"A letter from my sister." He shrugged his shoulders, like it was a normal, mundane happening.

"You have a sister?"

"Yasureyabetya"

"Does she write often?"

"A couple times a year." He didn't sound at all excited as he rattled on. "Goes on and on about her work, her husband's work, the kids...

"Kids!"

"...shopping. Yep, here..." He passed me two wallet-sized photos, studio shots of two reddish-haired youngsters. "Twins, Chris and Christy. They just turned one."

"You must write to her often?"

"Nope."

"Call her?" My words choked with utter disbelief.

"Ah, no... not for years now." He ducked his head, the better to not meet my eyes. He was embarrassed.

"Not at all?"

"You know how it is. Off world this, off world that. Keeping up with family is hard." His words delivered in his oft used devil-may-care way, making me suspicious of his casual manner.

"Yeah. Not like I had any to keep up with." My words sounded wistful, even to me.

The expression that passed over his face at the time now made sense to me. It was then that he realized I did not have anyone. There was no one for me, except for Nick. And Nick lived with giant aliens. It's not like Nick ever wanted me even when he was on Earth. Not like anyone was left to write me letters.

He had family; though a sister could never replace his loss. Charlie. That had nearly destroyed him. But... he had someone; he got letters, even if he didn't appear to appreciate them much. Or, did he...

'...she insists that I bring Uncle Danny when I come. Like I'd budge without ya.

And she agrees with me. Found family is the best kind of family to share with one's family.

Your found-brother,

Jack'

Stunned... stunned didn't described the painful burn that squeezed my heart and prickled my eyes. My smile threatened to split my face.

Found family IS the best kind of family.