Chapter 63

“What happened to your face, son?” Jack held out his other arm and pulled Tad into his embrace.

Becca was the one who answered. “Grandpa Eleazar got mad at Tad when he back-talked him.”

“You talked back to your grandpa, Thaddeus?”

“I…I couldn’t stand it, Daddy. He was saying such horrible things about you, and I—”

“That’s Grandpa, Tad.” Jack gritted his teeth and shook his head. “What did your momma have to say about him hitting you?” He and Reba had a rule in their house that no one could hit the kids except them, not that Jack ever would, beyond a swat to their seats. He remembered too well how free with a strap or his hands his daddy could be.

Tad’s face twisted. “Momma just got that look on her face and said she was going to her room to pray for me…” He held on tight to Jack, his body racked with silent sobs.