Chapter 29

“Leave him alone, Jules,” Clancy said. “His panties were in a twist. Maybe you shouldn’t wear thongs anymore, bro. Not a good look for you. Or maybe it is, but I don’t want to see it.”

“Ha,” I replied, letting the familiar bickering wash over me as Mom poured my coffee and kept brushing my hair out of my eyes.

“You need a haircut, Jared.”

“I know, Mom.” Everyone settled back down, and I asked, “Where are the kids?” My brothers had seven kids between them.

“Out with the wives doing farm projects. School’s out this week for Thanksgiving, so we’re keeping them busy so they don’t get into trouble, like we used to.” Robbie winked at me, and I laughed. It feltso good to be here, I almost cried.

“Yeah, not one of us was a saint, were we, Mom?” I asked as she sat for five minutes to watch her boys with pride.

“I didn’t want saints. I prayed for little devils, and that’s what God gave me. Your father was proudof you all.”

“Yeah, he was.”