The package.
The gold ring.
Walter.
Thomas.
The letter.
By the end, Danny wasn’t joking anymore.
Peter stared at the table.
Carol sat very still.
I waited for her to get angry.
Instead she asked:
“Who do you think mowed your lawn after Dad died?”
I frowned.Anatomy
“What?”
“Every summer.”
“I thought it was some neighborhood boy.”
“No.”
My stomach dropped.
“Walter?”
Carol nodded.
“Who shoveled your driveway before sunrise every winter?”
I said nothing.
“Who fixed the porch step?”
I looked toward the door.
“Walter.”
“Yes.”
“How long have you known?”
“That he did little things for you? Years.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you knew.”
I laughed weakly.
“Apparently I know nothing about the man across the street.”
Carol reached for my hand.
“Margaret.”
“What?”
“He did something unforgivable.”
I looked at her.
“He kept that letter.”
“Yes.”
“For fifty-five years.”
“Yes.”
“So don’t defend him.”
