The agent was holding a copy of a document Dad had filed at the county recorder\u2019s office the morning after the Whitakers refused to pay. A mechanic\u2019s lien, for $5,300 plus costs, attached to the lake house itself. Standing beside Dad was his old friend Ed Kowal, a retired attorney in a fishing hat, holding the original.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIs this true?\u201d the agent asked. \u201cBecause I can\u2019t close a sale with a lien on the title.\u201d The first buyers paused halfway up the walk. Mr. Whitaker came charging down the porch steps, red-faced, demanding to know what kind of stunt this was. Dad didn\u2019t raise his voice. He simply opened the manila envelope, pulled out the single sheet of paper, and held it up so everyone could see Mr. Whitaker\u2019s signature at the bottom.<\/p>\n
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