According to Uncle Pete, my father’s brother, construction had already begun on a large wedding pavilion near the dock.
“Ray’s telling everyone I gave permission,” Diane said.
“But you didn’t.”
“No.”
I couldn’t believe it.
My father had abandoned me, lied about what happened, and apparently concealed my mother’s wishes.
Now he was building on land belonging to the woman who’d raised me.
“Diane, what do you want to do?”
“I want you to help me stop him.”
Her voice trembled.
“That lake was important to your mother. I won’t let Ray take it.”
I promised I’d handle it.
Then I finally contacted Megan.
She answered almost immediately.
“Thomas? I’m so glad you called.”
I asked whether she knew what really happened when I was thirteen.
She hesitated.
“I only know what Dad told me.”
So I told her everything.
The dirt road.
