Chapter 46

“Call me if you need anything,” I said.

He did not answer.

“Forget about it, Papaw,” I suggested. “You know what they say. Family. Can’t live with them. Can’t kill them, if only because it dulls the ax blade.”

He turned his face away and closed his eyes.

That was one of last things I ever said to Papaw. 29: It’s All Good

Jackson stood on the porch, looking off into the distance at the long line of dark clouds. Rain was on the way. The smell of crepe jasmine was in the air, and the heat of the day was up. A gust of wind made the trees moan.

“Hey,” I said softly, taking his hand into mine.

“I’m sorry, Wiley,” he muttered, turning to look at me. His eyes were red from crying. “My mom is such a—”

“She is what she is,” I said.

“For once in my life, I wanted her to approve of something I’d done. Is that too much to ask?”

“It’s all good,” I said.

He turned to face me, as if he meant to say something. Instead, he burst into embarrassed tears and pressed himself against me.