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into the house to tell me."

"You weren't telling the truth. Mommy, were

you? You made that up about Grandad being Uncle

Simon's real father just so he wouldn't hurt him.

right?"

"No, Honey, it is the truth. Your grandmother Jennie told your father about it years ago. Her sister Tessie and her first husband worked for Grandad. and Grandad committed a sinful act with her. She became pregnant, and soon after, her husband was killed. He died never knowing, which was a good thing, I suppose. Grandad then married Tess. but Simon was a living reminder of his sin, so he treated him badly and eventually, after Jennie's death, tried to keep him out

of his mind by moving him out of the house. "After Jennie died, the sin was a heavier weight

on his conscience. I suppose. He believed God was

punishing him again by taking her. He became even

more crazed with his biblical visions.

"Her sister Jennie didn't want to marry him, but

he forced her to by describing Tess as a seductress

and making Jennie feel a responsibility to Simon. She

was a good woman and she cared lovingly for Simon.

Peter, and your father, but that didn't stop Grandad

from seeing his demons in all of us."

"And so Grandad thought I would be a sinner

because he had been? That's why he's always been all

over me with his threats of hell and damnation?" "Yes, but you must not let any of that affect

you. Honey. It's his private madness and his own guilt

that makes him think most of the crazy things he

declares and does.

"For a long time, your daddy felt sorry for him.

He tried always to be a dutiful son, to help him live

with himself, to recover. He was too good a son, if

you ask me."

"Did Uncle Peter know all this. too?"

"Not according to your father. no. Your

grandmother never told him. He was different-- a

lighter spirit-- and she didn't want to put any burden