Despite the devastating outcome of Alexander’s trial, life went on, and Nisha continued to file appeals and dig for evidence that would hopefully reverse the verdict and repeal his life sentence without parole. She’d hired a legal team whose sole purpose was to get Alexander out of prison. A legal team that Anthony and Christy gladly and willingly financed.

In the meantime, Anthony continued running his landscaping and other businesses as well as managing his crew at the camp. He continued to oversee the automobiles that were being transported over the Alley for export, always keeping a cautious eye out for the future technology that would bring a halt to his endeavor. Christy stayed busy with making sure the women who regularly visited the camp were receiving proper healthcare as well as mental wellness checks. Word had gotten around about her charitable concern for the women, and some were showing up just to receive free healthcare at the expense of letting some of the men use them for sex. When Christy realized what was happening she turned her efforts to financing a clinic that was separate from the camp. That way, the women who wanted to be at the camp could be there, and the ones who were only showing up for help would have another place to turn to.

Anthony now stood in the sunroom and glanced out at his backyard. He took a sip of coffee as the morning sun cast bright beams of light through the windows. Dust motes were floating through the air, giving the room a spectral quality. He smiled when he caught sight of Christy’s most recent charity case: Crook.

Christy had been standing in line at the grocery store when she overheard an elderly couple talking about what to do with one of their goats. Apparently, he’d gotten his head stuck in a fence when he was a baby, and it caused permanent damage. Because he was different, he’d become a target in their small barnyard. The other goats bullied him, not letting him get to the food. So, he had to be kept and cared for separately and it was becoming increasingly difficult due to the couple’s age. When Christy heard about the lonely goat, she followed the man and woman to their house.

Anthony laughed aloud when he remembered how he’d been working in his shop when she pulled up, a goat with a crooked neck riding shotgun in her Volkswagen. Crook was now living the high life in their expansive backyard and enjoying his days with the female companion Christy insisted on getting him. Crook and Esmeralda had become inseparable but hadn’t shown any signs of dishing up any baby goats.

Kind of like us, Anthony thought to himself. Their life lacked for nothing. They were as perfectly matched as a mismatched couple could be. A child would only make it more perfect. It hadn’t been for lack of trying. It had been over two years and still every month, like clockwork, Christy got her period. He knew that Christy was capable of getting pregnant. Last year, it occurred to him that perhaps he was the problem. His male pride hadn’t allowed him to take the necessary steps to see if it was true. But maybe it was time to face some facts. I’ll see a doctor, he finally told himself. I’ll have some tests done.

His coffee finished, Anthony had another important matter to attend to. Due to zoning restrictions in the beginning, Abby’s park had been temporarily put on hold. Eight months ago, the green light had been given, and Christy had thrown herself into having the park finished. She was now planning the grand opening and dedication ceremony and couldn’t hide her disappointment that Litzy wouldn’t be there. She wouldn’t want her brother, Richard, there; and Nadine, who was now pregnant with her third child, wouldn’t be able to make the trip and didn’t want to be away from her family. Especially since it was so close to Thanksgiving.

Anthony thought long and hard before deciding to go behind Christy’s back to invite the one person who had a right to be there—Abby’s father, Lenny Renquest. When he’d questioned Christy further as to why she’d never told Lenny, Christy explained that she hadn’t wanted to burden him. Even more so after discovering Abby’s life-threatening illness. “I thought more than once about telling him after she was born,” Christy explained. “But after her diagnosis, it didn’t seem right to bring him into a situation that he had no control of and would ultimately result in the worst kind of pain.”

Anthony now waited in the lobby of the company where Lenny worked. He stood when the door opened and Lenny walked out, glancing around curiously as to who might’ve asked to speak to him. His eyes widened in surprise when they landed on Anthony Bear.

Knowing that Lenny might be cautious of him, Anthony walked toward the lanky man and extended his hand in friendship. “I’m here as a friend, and I have a story to tell you. You have a few minutes to take a walk with me?” Anthony asked, nodding toward the double doors that led outside.

It took a few seconds to place him, but Lenny remembered Anthony from the restaurant where he’d run into Christy Chapman. She’d told him and Lucy that Anthony was her husband even though she'd elected to keep her last name. Lenny now seemed to hesitate, but after casting a wary glance at the receptionist, he nodded and followed Anthony out the door. If Christy’s husband was going to do anything to him, at least he had a witness.

They walked to a far corner of the parking lot where Anthony had parked his truck under a shade tree. Anthony leaned his back against the truck and told Lenny the reason for his visit. Lenny never said a word or interrupted as Anthony told him about Christy’s secret pregnancy, the Chapmans’ cover-up and Abigail’s death. He then explained about Christy’s decision to dedicate a park in their daughter’s name. The last statement caught Lenny by surprise.

“Our daughter?” he asked incredulously while shaking his head. “You mean, mine and Christy’s daughter?”

“Yes, I mean yours and Christy’s daughter. Abigail. Christy never told you, so I know this is a shock. Especially coming from me.” He ran his hand down his face. “Look, you don’t need to try and deny it. I know about you and Christy. About the night you met at the drugstore and how her first time was with you in the back of your father’s plumbing van. It’s okay, man, and she should’ve told you. I’m not here to accuse or ask anything of you other than to see if you’ll be there as a show of support for Christy and all the pain she’s endured alone.”

Anthony watched a myriad of emotions flicker over Lenny’s face. The man seemed to be confused.

“I’d be glad to be there as a support for Christy. As a friend,” he stammered. “She was always nice to me and Lucy. But the other part—I honestly don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. I never slept with Christy so there is no way that Abigail could’ve been my child.”

Anthony pushed off from the truck and it was his turn to look confused.

“Besides,” Lenny added. “My dad died when I was four and he was a tax attorney, not a plumber.”