Caleb began raking Mrs. Adler’s lawn at six, refusing payment and returning every autumn. When she died, he cleared it again because her home still mattered.
Her nephew later delivered letters and photographs she had saved, showing how deeply Caleb’s visits had eased her loneliness.
Then I recognized David, the husband who had abandoned us, standing behind a tree in an early picture. An entry in her address book led me to his workshop.
David admitted he had returned intending to approach us, then lost his nerve. Mrs. Adler discovered him watching Caleb and urged him to speak to his son. Instead, he repaired her house and used those visits to watch from a distance.
His shame explained nothing away: I had raised Caleb alone while he stayed nearby. Before her death, Mrs. Adler warned that his secrecy would end. Leaving him visible in that photograph was no accident.