Silver Apples

Ada inherited six acres of orchard and a box of letters addressed to nobody. In September, the trees bore silver apples. Each one whispered a wish when lifted from its branch. Ada heard requests for wealth, a lost dog, and one more conversation with a grandmother. The fruit tasted of nothing. Her aunt's notebook said the orchard had grown from buried letters. For generations, caretakers had sold the beautiful apples at market without mentioning the voices. Ada could not bring herself to do the same.