Summary

In “Old Growth”, author Lisa Alward tells the story of a divorced couple who visit a property that the ex-husband, Ray, wants to buy. The story begins with the couple, Ray and Gwyneth, arriving at Ray’s realtor’s home. Ray hugs the realtor, Fern, while Gwyneth wonders how Ray will introduce her. She recalls how Ray introduced her as a hitchhiker to his parents, although they had met while planting trees. Ray then introduces Gwyneth and Fern to each other.  

While Fern goes inside to put on her hiking boots, Gwyneth thinks that Ray looks distracted. She regrets coming there with Ray. She recalls how he called her and told her that he had found the land he wants to buy. He then insisted on her coming with him. Neither of them mentioned the loan that Gwyneth was planning on giving him, which she decided to do so that he would have something to leave their ch...