Chapter 6

“You can come and visit,” I told him.

He finished his drink. He smirked. “Yeah, right. Like that’ll happen, dude.”

***

She greeted me at the door two weeks later.

“You look too skinny, Jack,” she said, giving me the once over, twice.

I grinned. “That’s sweet of you to say, Ma. Do I look too young and too rich as well?”

“Fresh.” She slapped my arm.

“Works for cabbage.” I hoisted my luggage inside the house. The place smelled of dog and Pledge. It smelled like home. “Where’s Dad?”

“Walking Chompers.”

“Can Chompers even make it to the end of the driveway?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Your father carries him sometimes. Then they both get some exercise. It’s a win/win.”

“Plus, he’s out of your hair.”

She grinned. “Fine. Win/win/win then.” She looked at my luggage. “You’re not really staying here the entire summer, are you?”

“Wouldn’t most mothers love that?” I asked. “An entire summer with their son?”