Gavin’s eyes darted around, seeking some kind of escape, some way to salvage his dignity. But there was none. With every angle covered by the watchful eyes of the Bridge Club, his options dwindled. He was ensnared in the trap of his own making, caught by the very people who had been part of his life since childhood.

I picked myself up from the ground, brushing the lingering dirt from my clothes. My voice was steady, but each word carried the weight of years of family discord. “You can’t intimidate or bully your way into getting what you want, Gavin. This was Mom’s decision, and she had her reasons.”