Chapter 4 opens with the close of summer, as Tammy suggests that my role in looking after Abigail is no longer necessary. Despite her insistence, I continue to help with various responsibilities, such as making sure Abigail attends her math club meetings, gets her vaccinations on schedule, and sees a dentist for her many cavities. The dentist, alarmed by the extent of her dental issues, referred us to an orthodontist who expressed astonishment at the condition of her teeth, saying, “She’s going to need a lot of braces.” This remark led to an extended battle with Pennsylvania Medicaid, which preferred more cost-effective options, while I stood firm in my decision to prioritize quality care for Abigail. Ultimately, I ended up covering most of the dental costs myself, hoping that the investment would pay off in the long run, even though it left me financially stretched.

By the time October rolled around, our routine had become comfortably ingrained. One afternoon, Tammy called to ask me to pick up Abigail from school due to a work commitment. I drove my Jeep to the school, and when we returned home, I made tacos for dinner while Abigail spread out her homework on the living room floor, diligently working through her assignments. Afterward, I cleaned up the kitchen and we settled down to watch a cooking show on Netflix, which featured a hilarious series of baking failures. It was a lighthearted end to the evening, and after some downtime, I sent Abigail to bed with a half-hour of reading from her favorite fantasy novel about Warrior Cats. The small routine of shared moments like this had become a source of comfort for me.

That night, as I was saying goodnight to Abigail, my eyes were drawn to a peculiar sight in her room. Above her dresser, amidst her usual playful room decorations, hung a map. It was a topographical map of Lake Wyndham, located near Osprey Cove, and marked with a bright red “X” at its deepest point. I asked Abigail about the map, and she explained that it had been a gift from Aidan, who had given it to her after their trip to New Hampshire. She eagerly told me that it was a treasure map, her excitement filling the room. “One day, I’m going back to Osprey Cove to look for the X. You should come,” she said, her eyes wide with anticipation. When I inquired whether she had shown the map to Tammy, she replied no, mentioning that Tammy had warned her not to discuss Osprey Cove because of potential repercussions. This immediately raised my concerns, so I sat down to explain my belief that Abigail had misunderstood the significance of the map, suggesting that Aidan may have meant to give her money instead of a map.

The conversation turned to the possibility of the $1,000 I had hidden in my suitcase being a more likely “treasure” in the equation. This idea sparked an animated discussion between Abigail and me, where we agreed that she could trade the map for cash. With enthusiasm, she took eighty-four dollars, overjoyed by the unexpected windfall. I, however, was left standing there, feeling conflicted and uneasy. Holding the map, I was filled with a sense of disquiet, knowing that its origin and purpose were still unclear. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this simple exchange might have profound implications, even if Abigail seemed blissfully unaware of the larger picture. The weight of the map, both physical and metaphorical, hung in the air as I wondered what role it would play in our lives in the future, and what secrets it might hold.