Then came the moment.
Dinner was finished. The air smelled of sage and sweet potatoes. They sat sipping tea, when David leaned back and looked at her with a thoughtful expression.
“Mom… did you like the lake house I gave you?”
The fork in her hand froze.
“…What lake house?” she asked cautiously.
David’s brow furrowed. “The one in Charlevoix. On Lake Michigan. I put it under a trust, and had a law firm send you the papers. That was two years ago. You never went?”
She stared at him. Her throat tightened.
“David,” she said slowly, “I thought that was a scam. I tore the letter up.”
His jaw dropped. “You never even checked?”
“I thought it was a mistake,” she said softly. “Why would someone give me a house? I live on Social Security and mop cafeteria floors. I can’t even afford a new toaster.”
David let out a breath and rubbed his eyes.
“I didn’t want to embarrass you by putting my name on it. I thought if it came anonymously, you might use it… enjoy it. It’s a beautiful place, Mom. Right on the lake. You can hear the waves from the porch.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Oh, honey… I didn’t know.”
