In early October the Tomkeys bought a boat, and everyone seemed greatly relieved, especially my mother's friend, who noted that the motor was definitely secondhand. It was reported that Mr. Tomkey's father-in-law
owned a house on the lake and had invited the family to use it whenever they liked. This explained why they
were gone all weekend, but it did not make their absences any easier to bear. I felt as if my favorite show had
been canceled.