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

A delivery ticket was zip-tied to the top beam, flapping every time a truck went by.

Lot nine, Lakeview.

Bill to Whitfield Roofing, net thirty.

“Lot nine is my aunt’s.”

“I don’t read the tickets, Tom.

I read the load sheet.” Pete wiped his palms down his jeans.

“I just haul it.

You’d have to ask Ray where it’s going.”