Lynette Cunningham tossed her severance packet on the table and kicked off her sandals. She rubbed her neck to knead the tension. The choices before her would wait. She was sad to be unemployed but excited at the same time. This was her chance to change careers.
Her cell phone chimed. She glanced at the number. “Hi, Dad.”
“How did your last day go?” Her father’s gravelly voice come across the airwaves.
“As planned. All of us employees received our final compensation from
Express Sky. The airline closing has me thinking. I may settle in one place for a while.”
“Honey, often things happen for a reason. The last time I came to see you, I noticed you seemed ready to make a change. Until you decide what to do, why not visit your ol’ dad?”
“I don’t know.” Her words churned as slow as butter.
“Please, come back home. At least for a time. The town has changed since you went away.”
Lynette’s mind drifted to Freedom, North Carolina and the memories
of disgust on the faces of the townsfolk when she walked out of the police station a free woman.
“Nothing’s changed, Dad. There’s always going to be talk about that bank robbery.”
“Some folks enjoy the gossip, but you can’t let narrow-minded people rule you. You’re so much like your mother. She held on to a hurt for a long time, too, but I’m certain if Mom were alive, she’d tell you to give them another chance. You need to stop running from the past.” Her father cleared his throat. “I’ve found something which may end all the suspicion.”
Lynette gasped. His words danced around her ears like a buzzing fly.
“What? You discovered evidence to finally prove someone else is responsible?”
“I think so. I wanted to wait until you come back to take it to the sheriff.
I realize it’s always been important for you to clear your name from the scandal. Thanks to the Lord’s guidance, this is a chance to help them arrest the real thief. Ten years is a long time for this to go unsolved.”
Her chest rose with a deep breath. “I doubt the Lord has anything to do with it. If God cared, He would’ve helped me years ago. I’m on my own, except for you,” she huffed.
“Darling, your negative talk bothers me. Sometimes, we must accept things and move on.”
“Dad, what did you find?”
“I think someone’s at the door. I’ll call you back later and explain everything.”
Before Lynette responded, silence met her ear. She laid the phone on the table and sat down, her mind on Freedom, North Carolina. As she debated her choices, Lynette drummed her fingers on the glass tabletop. The idea of dredging up the past unnerved her, but proving who was responsible for a crime she was accused of was appealing.
