Chapter 86
Twenty Years AgoJohn sat against one of the sprawling oak trees in the gardens across from his house, reading ahead in his science textbook. The late April breeze carried a promise of rain that evening, but he still appreciated the shade.
A spring sunburn hurt just as much as one in high summer.
He managed to push the repetitive crunch of feet on the gravel path in front of him down to background noise, along with quiet conversations. He was far from the only one enjoying an early weekday evening outside. Adults walked the winding path in twos and threes, passing out of sight and sound when they headed toward the far east end of the gardens.
He couldn’t stop his brain from cataloging the walkers, though, organizing them into groups. A slow, plodding gait. Another dragging on
