Stiff from the cold, Lachlan fanned his fingers. The rolling motion reminded Lachlan of a fishtail and his dad’s teachings. Dad taught him everything he knew about fishing. After Mom left, the two of them spent hours on Fenner Lake. Those were his happiest memories. Until London.

He’d met London at Stewie’s Grille. She was a trainee waitress and god awful. London was a knockout, so she made out okay. Knowing the ropes, Lachlan had worked in restaurants since high school. He was eager to help out the pretty new girl. Always polite, she didn’t really give Lachlan the time of day. Until Keach’s party.

London got tipsy on Jagermisters at Keach’s house party. Lachlan saw her home safe. She got handsy on the ride home, but Lachlan was a gentleman. He held her hair when she got sick and washed her face tenderly. Next morning Lachlan returned to her house with Gatorade and pork rolll egg sandwiches.

They were inseparable. Lachlan had been a quiet, lonely child who grew into a quiet, serious man. When London announced she was pregnant, he thought his heart would burst. For so long it had been just Lachlan and then just him. Now he would have a family. Nine months later there was Moira, named after his father’s mother.

Lachlan worked to two jobs and as much overtime as he could. He wanted to protect his little family. He didn’t mind when London stayed home with the baby. He didn’t mind doing the lion’s share of the housework. He kind of minded when London started staying out all night with friends, but five years together had to count for something.

“In some ways it is better to be the one leaving than to be the one lift, than to be left quietly shuffled his feet. He didn’t want to disturb the fish. He would have given his girlfriend anything. Until she left Moira alone at home.

Three days no calls, no texts. Lachlan didn’t know what to tell Moira about Mommy. She showed up to tell him she was leaving. London was leaving with his daughter. She was going back to her ex, Moira’s real father. London tossed her words like her old clothes in a duffel bag.

The fishing line tugged. Lachlan reeled in his prize. Dad taught him patience. Sitting by Fenner Lake, Lachlan felt closer to his dad here. And to London too. Packing up his gear, Lachlan thought of home. He scanned the empty lake, full of ghosts and secrets. Trudging to his car, Lachlan couldn’t wait to take his daughter fishing on the lake.