Chapter 43

“Ty.”

“Hi, Dad.” I grinned up at him. “I see I’ve been replaced.”

“You’re irreplaceable, son, but it got lonely around here without you. I went down to the shelter and found him on Cyber Monday.”

“What’s his name?” I rose and we shook hands. That kind of surprised him, and it still bothered me, but it was Christmas Eve.

“Harker.”

“Huh?”

“From Dracula?” He gave a slight smile. “I thought it was appropriate.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Take your suitcase up to your room and freshen up. I’ll put the cannolis in the fridge.”

* * * *

Midnight Mass was over and we were heading out to the parking lot.

“Hey, Small!”

“Hey, Black!”

“It’s good to see you, dude!”

“Don’t give me that bull, Jimmy. I thought you were going to pay me a visit.” I’d e-mailed him my address and directions, but he’d never shown up.

“I was, but I got so lost I couldn’t tell down from up. I was too embarrassed to tell you.”