The First Small Thing

But when Mara laid the cassette on her desk, Ruth’s expression changed so fast it was almost fear. “Where did you get this tape?” Ruth asked. “It was in my dad’s house,” Mara said. “The label says June 14, 1998. But last night’s signal mentioned it too.” Ruth stayed quiet for a long time. Then she said, “Do not replay it.” “Why not?” Jessa asked. “Because I heard the same opening thirty years ago.” Ruth looked at them like they were already stepping onto ice that had started to crack. “Back then the tower burned. The lake station flooded. One man was called a hero, another man was called an arsonist. The official report said equipment failure. Three days later the papers moved on. You should stop now.”