Tears pooled in the corners of his eyes, catching the yellow late afternoon light.

“I knew the land survey map looked off.

I knew three months ago the township had turned down his driveway permit.”

He laid the envelope on the middle wooden step between us, lining its edge up with the plank.

“I let this neighborhood down, David, and you saved it,” Arthur said.

“You were trying to dodge a fight with a man who bought people off,” I said.

“Keep your house, Arthur.