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

“Cheryl’s got a seating chart.

Dad’s got the rental chairs.

I’m supposed to be choosing peonies.”

I opened the blue binder and put the audit notice on top.

Then the letter from Lakeland State Bank, dated August 2006, addressed to Ray Whitfield.

Megan read it with her coffee still in hand.

“They wanted you at the bank.

In person.”