Chapter 172

MY BROTHER IS IN his heated garage working on the upholstery of his 1969, 350-horsepower, Lyman Sleeper that he picked up for ten grand last spring. It's made for speed and family fun. He and I took her out on a test run after he bought her and we ripped it up on the lake. It's been his ongoing project since the season ended and she's looking good. Tally is now written in bold black script on the side. Tally was our mom, and the boat couldn't have a more fitting name.

"Dadadadada," Lilly alerts her father we're near. Joel's head comes up.

"Hey, bro, what's up?" I nod to the two front seats that are now reupholstered and looking sharp. Joel is currently working on one of the bench seats.