Chapter 19

He shrugged. “It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. Besides, there’s just as much beauty in a football game as in a hymn, and a couch is far more comfortable than a pew.” He bent down and pet Chompers. He was smiling. My smile was wider by a mile. “We never stopped believing, Jack; we just believed in you more. That’s what being a parent is all about.”

I bent down as well, side by side with my father. “So you think I’m going to catch that squirrel this time around?”

He nodded. “Three against one, Jack,” he said. “Three against one.”

I pointed at Chompers. “Four.”

He stood and grinned. “Chompers doesn’t even chase his own tail these days, son.”

I stood and squeezed my father’s hand. That was it. That was it because Ma came barreling toward us a moment later after being gone for quite a long time. Our grins promptly faded upon seeing her. Mainly because she was scowling, and Ma scowling was never a good thing.

“Uh oh,” I said, with a gulp. “She tell you to go to hell as well?”