Before the lake, I heard Dad arguing with Uncle Dean.
Below that, Jeremy had written part of the conversation.
Dad said, “If Nora goes to the board, we could lose the house.”
Uncle Dean said, “Then stop her from talking until this is finished.”
I read the words again and again.
At the bottom of the page was one final sentence.
Janice heard them too.
My legs gave way beneath me.
I sat on the floor outside Jeremy’s room until morning, holding the note in my lap and wondering how much terror a five-year-old boy could carry before it stole his voice.
