My 6-year-old granddaughter phoned me in panic just after midnight. “Mommy says the baby is coming! Help!” I asked, “Where’s daddy?” She answered, “He k!cked mommy’s tummy and left.”…..

Going once, going twice, sold to bidder number 47. Harry walked up to complete the paperwork, ignoring the curious stairs and whispered conversations around him. Cassidy appeared at his elbow, moving slowly but steadily. The doctors had released her from the hospital 2 days earlier, and she was staying at Harry’s house while she recovered.

“Dad, what are you doing? That place is worth maybe a h 100,000 on a good day. It’s not about the money, Harry said, signing the deed transfer papers. It’s about what comes next. Two hours later, Harry and Cassidy stood on the deck of what had once been Translate Cabin. Harry had brought a sledgehammer, a crowbar, and a can of gasoline.

Cassidy had insisted on coming along despite her injuries. “Are you sure about this?” she asked. “Positive.” Harry swung the sledgehammer into the living room wall where Trent had conducted his illegal business. Drywall exploded in a cloud of white dust. This place represents everything your husband used to hurt people.

Better to tear it down and start fresh. They worked through the afternoon methodically destroying the interior of the cabin. Harry ripped out the floorboards in the kitchen where Cassid’s blood had been spilled. Cassidy took particular satisfaction in destroying the back room where lone shark meetings have been held and threats have been made as the sun set over the lake.

They piled the broken wood and debris into a bonfire that could be seen for miles. Harry poured gasoline over the pile and handed Cassidy a book of matches. Want to do the honors? Cassidy struck a match and dropped it into the gasoline. The flames leaped 20 ft into the air, consuming years of corruption and violence in a cleansing inferno.

“You ever think about forgiving him?” Cassidy asked as they watched the fire burnt. The Harry’s answer came without hesitation. “Forgiveness is for men who plan to see someone again. I’m done seeing him.” They stood in comfortable silence, watching the flames dance against the darkening sky. In the distance, Harry could see lights from other cabins around the lake families enjoying evening barbecues.