Chapter 32

“Dad?”

Brock started and turned from the window to see his son coming into the room,dressed in a wrinkled T-shirt and sleep pants.

Brock looked at the mantle clock.It was five till five.“Why are you up so early?”

“Wanted to see you off.”

Brock saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned back to the window.A white Ford Focus drove down the street.

Junior chuckled.“I bet you’ve been checking the time and the window for the past ten minutes.”

It was more like fifteen,but Brock wasn’t going to admit that.“I don’t want to keep Calvin waiting.The roofing crew’s supposed to arrive at five thirty.”

“Uh huh.”Junior yawned.“Tell me something.Are you and Mr.Hamilton,howwould you have said it back in your day,‘sweet on each other?’”

“What?I’m not that old!”

“Whatever.But are you?”

Brock checked the window again,all the while nervously swinging his hardhat in his right hand.

“I wouldn’t mind if you were.He’s a nice man.He’s good for you.”