Chapter 26

Fran nodded. “My brother is in the army. He was in Afghanistan for a few months, and when he came back…” He paused and Dez held his breath, fearing he was going to hear a story of Fran losing his brother to suicide. But Fran went on, no tremor in his voice. “Things were tough for him for a while. But he got help and he’s fine now.”

“Is he still in the army?”

“Yes.”

It was a good thing to hear. That there was a road back. Dez smiled and raised his glass again. “To your brother. A real hero.”

Fran shook his head. “He never liked being called that either. I guess I should have learned from that and not bothered you with that stupid cake.”

“I’m quite glad in the end that you bothered me, Fran.”

Fran gave that smile again, the one that lit up his face. “Then I guess me never learning my lesson is a good thing.”

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