Redemption — John R. Erickson

THE BOY. Far out to sea. Sudden, rogue waves on
the horizon. The sight stunned Freddy
Horncastle, just waking.
Wait â€" could that be Tommy, their youngest? Where
was his wife; the lifeguards, other beachgoers? Had
everyone left?
Freddy later swore to police that he never saw a boy
in the water, never tried to signal, get help. There
were no other witnesses close by. When the waves
hit, he prayed his family was safe. Their beach stuff
was gone, swept away.
23 years later, Freddy is unable - or unwilling - to
help Tommy, face Tommy, and come clean, accept
the blame, admit his cowardice on that awful day
and every day since. The fact was, he froze.
Recently, something's been wrong with Freddy's
mind: a profound confusion. When he learns what
this means, he knows there can be no more excuses.
It's time to find Tommy and tell him the truth, before
it's too late.