Chapter 74

When we finished cleaning up the kitchen, Tyler and I joined Ben on the porch. I brought another chair out for Tyler to sit on between us.

“What do you do for a living, son?” Ben asked.

Tyler looked a little startled, and he glanced at me before replying. “Uh…I was laid off months ago. Been looking for work ever since.”

“Damned economy,” Uncle Ben replied, and thumped his chest before burping. “You a farm boy? You got that look about ya,” he said as he massaged his left hand. I didn’t push the issue of pills since I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Tyler.

“Yes, sir. Long time ago. I grew up on a farm in Oregon. Loved it there. We raised horses.” I could hear the sadness in Tyler’s voice.

“We used to have a pumpkin farm here, and hay rides, too. I got old, though. Can’t stand to sell the place.” Ben shifted in his chair and I saw him rub his stomach, trying to pass it off as scratching an itch. Damn it.

“Got any family left, son?” Ben continued.