Chapter 47

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Rebecca asked from her perch on the porch railing.

“Nothing. Can I have a cookie?”

Rebecca held out the tin. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“Is Grandpa going to come and live with us?” Rebecca asked as Carol munched on the sweet, soft confection.

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Is that why you’re sad?” Rebecca asked conversationally.

“Am I that obvious?” Carol asked, reaching for another cookie.

Rebecca nodded. “Spill it.”

“I haven’t seen my dad in about twenty years. For some reason, I thought he’d be the same person. I forgot that everybody changes, even parents.”

Rebecca nodded sagely. “Yes, everybody changes.”

“You know, I hit your dad with a book on this very porch. Well, I missed him, but just barely.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“I thought he was a bear.”

She snorted, shaking her head. “There aren’t any bears here.”