Chapter 23

“Because he saw his father beating his mother to death, and he needs help dealing with that,” Zeke said.

“What prompted the invitation?” Norm said.

“Their friends are Charles and Philip,” Zeb said. “Apparently, Philip’s nephew and his partner live with them, and the nephew and his friend run a lawn care and landscaping business while they’re going to college.”

Zeke said, “George and Mike told them about us, and got an invitation for us to come and see what they do and how they do it. That invitation includes all four of us.”

“Where will we stay?” I said.

“George says they live in a mansion and have plenty of room,” Zeke said. “So, what do you guys say?”

“Why not?” Norman said.

“Sure,” I said.

We left Jacksonville early on a Friday morning and followed George and Mike’s car to Atlanta, arriving at the Barnett home in midafternoon. “Holy shit,” Norm said as the car came to a stop. “George and Mike weren’t kidding—the house is huge.”