Lake Keystone can be stunningly beautiful in early summer. With the sun reflecting off the smooth waters and late spring blooms still holding on, it is a boaters paradise. Each year, hundreds of people flock to the lake for some fun in the summer sun. This was exactly what one group planned for the weekend. What should have been a happy memory turned in to a lasting nightmare.Â
His uncle had a 1990’s white and tan pontoon boat with a slightly ripped blue canvas roof. It didn’t look like much but it signified an escape from the mundane. It didn’t take much convincing to get his uncle to let him borrow it.
He was the oldest by four years. He had just turned 22 and wanted to celebrate. Along with him came his best friend from work and her two younger sisters, his younger nephew, and cooler filled with fruit pouches and sandwiches. They had worked together for several months now and had become almost inseparable.
They spent a few hours puttering around the lake before finding a semi-secluded spot to drop anchor and grab lunch. The weather had been mild, even a touch on the chilly side for summer but that day was different. It felt like the full force of the sun was beating down on them and then again reflecting up from the surrounding water.Â
They hadn’t dressed for the heat. One by one, clothing came off until they were wearing the bare minimum that decency would allow. Still, it was hot. Even the air became stifling. Â
His friend stared at the water, looked back at him, looked around and then with a grin stripped down to her underware and dove in. A better word would have been flopped in, but soon the others followed. The younger ones were more brave, opting to go skinny-diping while he was more modest, choosing instead to keep his boxers and T-shirt on.Â
They swam for awhile before they decided they had enough. After a few more hours on the lake, they were spent and it was getting close to dinner time so he docked the boat and they went their separate ways.Â
He went back to work the following Monday. He was in retail so his hours varied, but he still expected to see his friend there. She missed her shift. Actually, she missed all of her shifts for the next couple weeks before being removed completely from the schedule. He had sent her texts but she didn’t reply. It was strange but he figured she would come back around, she just had that type of personality.
A few days later he got a call from an angry woman who demanded to know what he did with her kids. Not understanding, he told her she had the wrong number and hung up.Â
Almost three weeks after the boat outing, he was arrested. The mother had reported him, accusing him of molesting her children. Â
He tried to explain to the cops but they said they had the pictures. Nasty ones. Further, he had admitted that they swam together. It was supposed to be an innocent fun day at the lake but it ended up becoming a grotesque tale of horror.
He tried to fight it but didn’t have the money for a good lawyer. They offered him a deal, go to trial and serve life or take 12 years. They said they had proof and he would lose, so he took the deal.Â
The only person that was questioned was the mother. The D.A. twisted his words so he could keep his conviction percentages high. It was an election year.Â
As for the picture? it was one with everyone all wrapped in towels, with the captain in front, all smiling, all having an amazing time at beautiful Lake Keystone.
