Then disease swept through their livestock.
The losses mounted.
The bank demanded repayment.
And eventually, the farm was sold at auction.
“Right outside the courthouse,” Opal whispered. “The same place you bought it.”
She turned toward the kitchen window.
“When they auctioned our machinery, Walt stood in the yard holding little Ronald’s hand. I watched from this window because I couldn’t bear to go outside.”
Nate looked stunned.
“Dad never told me.”
Opal shook her head.
“He was five. And from that day forward, he couldn’t even look at this house when we drove past.”
Recordé innumerables paseos de domingo con Ron y Judy.
We had passed that property many times.
I had never noticed Ron deliberately looking away.
Opal continued.
“The Millers bought the house in 1961. They were good people. But I believed I’d never see my mother’s kitchen again.”
She turned toward Nate.
