Chapter 109

“God, I hope your Uncle Joe doesn’t get wind of this,” Tom said.

“Do you think he’d get violent, like my dad?”

“Babe, I don’t know the man. On the other hand, nobody really thought that his brother would do what he did.”

“Yeah. I guess we need to be careful when we’re out and about.”

“I’m not going to let it rule my life,” Tom said, “but it won’t hurt to be observant.”

The following Sunday, they drove down to Gainesville, as Tom was giving a late-afternoon concert on the C. B. Fisk pipe organ at the First Presbyterian Church. They arrived at Noah’s grandparents’ house at one, and Mrs. Walker greeted them at the door.

“Noah, honey,” she said, “I’m so glad to see you and Tom. We’re just having lunch.”

She hugged them both and ushered them into the dining room, where the rest of the family was gathered. They were surprised to find Noah’s aunt and uncle present, along with his mother.

“Aunt Alice, Uncle Harold,” Noah said, “I didn’t know you were here.”