Sequence of Events

Jake, a middle-aged man, has a beautiful home, a well-paying job, a wife he dearly loves, and two teenage daughters, both of whom he adores. He is a very happy man and hardly ever remembers the bad thing he did when he was a teenager. The bad thing happened in nearly total darkness and was the result of circumstances, confusion, and anger released in a moment of insanity. No one ever suspected Jake was responsible for what happened on that dark night almost twenty-five years in the past, and he had no reason to worry on it. Of course, he was sorry and felt ashamed, but he forgave himself and resolved to be a good man and to lead a respectable life. He was successful, and in time, he achieved his goal. He became a kind, loving family man. But the thing is, dear reader, we hear the gods of perversity laugh, and they will amuse themselves, teaching a mere mortal how hard it is to forgive himself.