Chapter 10

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Gregory lived in his parents’ former house about a half mile from the center. He told me he liked to walk back and forth. I offered to drive him home and he accepted.

“Your parents left you this house?” I asked as he led me inside a spacious two-story dwelling.

“Yes. They wanted to move to Florida, of all places. I’m their only child.”

“I’m an only child, too. My mother is constantly calling me, as you already know, and my dad is only marginally better. He badgers me by email.”

Gregory led me to the back of the house where he had chairs and a table set up on the porch facing the ocean.

“This is gorgeous,” I exclaimed as I took in the setting sun and the gentle motion of the water along the shoreline.

“Isn’t it?” he replied. He left briefly to get me a glass of water. “Sit here and enjoy the view while I make us some dinner. Bathroom’s to the left when you re-enter the house.”

“But I can help,” I protested.