Eighteen Years After Ray Abandoned Him on a Dirt Road, Thomas Found His Mother’s Letter

“I canceled the follow-up visit.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I didn’t want to sit in a waiting room while Ray hammers boards on my lawn.”

Her hands went back to the envelopes.

“I get tired by two these days.

It isn’t terrible.”

“Tomorrow you’ll call them back.”

“After Thursday, Thomas.”