“Blow your nose,” Anthony said, handing her a paper napkin. Cady noticed that his own eyes were wet, and so were Mandy’s. Lola’s eyes, on the other hand, sparkled with happiness. Her mother, she noticed, was smiling.

“It’s time for you to meet your father, Cady. Let’s just do it and get it over with. Lola, I’d like you to come along.” She turned to Cady. “We can talk about this now or sometime in the future, or we never have to talk about it. The short take is, I knew I made a mistake when I married your…Asa. He didn’t love me, and I didn’t love him. He was charismatic, though. I was young enough that I wanted…excitement, someone to say he loved me. Cyrus King and I would meet at the Judas tree every chance we could. Back then it was a lover’s lane of sorts. He was married, I was married, and then I was pregnant.”

“Mom, it’s okay. I’m okay with it. Let’s not talk about it ever again. This is the first day of our new lives. No looking back. I’ve had enough of the past to last me a lifetime, and so did you. Now, are you coming to Mr. Cyrus King’s house with us, Granny?”

“It will be my pleasure.” Lola’s wet eyes sparkled.

Cyrus King opened the door. Lola took the initiative, and said, “Cyrus, I brought your daughter to see you. We have a story to tell you, and I want you to listen. I expect we can all be civil about this. Invite us in, please. That’s another way of saying I won’t take no for an answer.”

Cyrus King took a deep breath, his eyes on Agnes Jordan. He stepped aside, as his wife walked around the corner to stare at the uninvited guests.

“What are they doing here?” Maxine King spat.

“We’re here to talk, Mrs. King. I’m not in the mood for any shenanigans, so either be quiet or leave. Cyrus?” Lola’s imperious stage voice carried throughout the whole house.

“Sit down,” Cyrus King said, motioning to a gold brocade sofa that looked like it had never been sat on.

Lola began, “You, of course, know Agnes. This lovely young woman is Cady, your daughter. As you may or may not know, Cady lost her memory the day of the accident. She has fully regained that memory and is here to tell you what really happened that day. The others who were at the pond that day will back up her story, so let’s get to it. Cady, tell them what happened.”

Cady licked at her dry lips and spoke hesitantly. Her words picked up speed as she recited the events of that fateful afternoon. “I did not kill your son, Jeff…my half brother. I don’t know this for sure, but I have a feeling neither of you knew that he knew I am his half sister. I’m assuming he overheard the two of you discussing the situation at some point. He told Boomer Ward he knew about me and swore him to secrecy. Your son was a bully, I’m sorry to say. He made my life miserable. I lived in fear of him. So did the others. My family and I are not going to shout this from the rooftops. The only reason we came here at all was to tell you I did not kill your son.” She stood up and looked at her father. “I’m sorry I never got to know you. That isn’t going to change anytime soon. You and your wife have nothing to fear from us.”