Chapter 34

“Dad,” Brad said, reverting to that moniker. “Can we talk?”

David got up, reduced the volume on the CD player, and sat back down. Turning to his son, he smiled and said, “I was wondering when you were going to stop pretending there was nothing wrong. Sure we can talk. Come, sit down.”

Brad walked into the room and sat down next to David. He stretched his long legs out, crossed them at the ankle, leaned back and put his hands behind his head. Looking at Claudia, he let a peace settle over him. David didn’t say anything. Brad knew his dad was waiting for him to start the conversation.

“I’m havin’ a hard time, Dad,” Brad said, still looking at the Christmas tree. He noted that the song A Puzzlement was aptly playing in the background. He smiled. He sat up and turned to face his father. “I miss Hank.”

“That’s natural,” David said. “This is the first time you’ve been separated for this long, isn’t it?”