Author: JM Nab

Three months after the first anniversary of Dad’s death, I was back in Chicago. My life had become ordinary again. And I loved ordinary. Sunday calls with Alyssa. Monthly meetings …

PART 23 — THE LETTER MARIANNE SENT FROM COURT Read More

I stared at the word. FOUND. Dad’s handwriting. Six months before he died. Alyssa leaned over my shoulder. “So he knew about this account?” “Apparently.” Mr. Bennett took the tiny …

PART 28 — THE TRUST DAD FOUND TOO LATE Read More

Hannah called me that night. I answered on the first ring. “Are you okay?” “I don’t know.” Her voice sounded different. Not frightened. Overwhelmed. “Where are you?” “Michael’s house.” I …

PART 33 — THE LETTER THAT ARRIVED THREE DAYS TOO LATE Read More

Three weeks after Alyssa joined the Harper Industries employee board, she called me at seven in the morning. “I made a mistake.” I sat up. “What happened?” “I voted against …

PART 37 — (END) THE EMPTY CHAIR AT DAD’S OLD TABLE………….My sister forced a DNA test to prove I wasn’t really Dad’s daughter so she could Read More

PART 2 — THE LANDLORD AT THE KITCHEN TABLE At 7:12 the next morning, Daniel walked into the kitchen holding the envelope. I knew the exact time because I had …

My name is Dolores Fenn. I am 73. My son’s wife gave me a dollar-store birthday card…………. Read More

I looked at Lucas’s photograph for so long that the screen dimmed in my hand. Then I tapped it awake again. The gray eyes. The crooked smile. The slight tilt …

PART 5 — THE BOY WITH HAROLD’S SMILE Read More

I did not open the door. Renata stood on my porch with the man in the gray suit beside her. Rebecca stayed near the kitchen. I kept Detective Morales on …

PART 8 — THE NAME RENATA FINALLY GAVE ME Read More

I called Daniel before I called the police. He answered immediately. “Mom?” “Get inside.” “What?” “Get Tyler and Sophie inside right now.” Something in my voice must have frightened him. …

PART 11 — THE PHOTO TAKEN OUTSIDE DANIEL’S HOUSE Read More

For forty-seven years, I had remembered the lake as a blur. A wet dress. A broken dock light. Harold shouting. Arthur bleeding. And myself saying: “Stay away from me.” That …

PART 14 — (END) THE SUMMER ARTHUR NEVER FORGOT………..My name is Dolores Fenn. I am 73. My son’s wife gave me a dollar-store birthday card Read More

PART 2 — THE DEBT HE NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT Marcus came out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and stopped when he saw me sitting by …

When I married at 58, I did not tell my husband that I owned six rental cottages…………. Read More