A Birthday Card Comes Back After a Move

Case overview

Ruth sends her brother Sam a birthday card just after he moves. A few days later, the card is back on her front step with a short mark on the envelope. Ruth copied the mailing details from Sam’s last text message. She still has that message to compare with the envelope. Still, the card has made the trip back without reaching him. They spread the move notes across Ruth’s kitchen table and start with the plain facts: when Sam moved, when the card was sent, and which part of the note came from where. One missing detail could explain the whole detour. Or the timing could be playing tricks on them. Ruth and Sam still need to learn whether the envelope matches the move note before spending another stamp on the same route.