The Final Appraisal at the Lake House Before the Family Reckoning

No heat. No room for anyone else.”

He nodded slowly.

“I don’t know what to do now.”

“Pack by tomorrow night.”

He laughed through tears.

“You’re still tough.”

“No. Ruth is tough. I’m just repeating instructions.”

He smiled for real then.

Small.

Boyish.

Gone too fast.

But there.

Claire came last.

Near midnight.

She carried the pearls.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Neither can continue reading …