Page 122 of Homecoming

“Don’t ever let anyone say you’re not a shameless opportunist.”

“Guilty as charged.”

He pulled into Bertha’s driveway and parked to the far right so the Jeep wouldn’t block in Bertha’s truck. “Does that give them enough room?”

“Plenty,” Kara said.

Inside, Bertha was spiking a cup of tea with a shot of bourbon, which she said was good for her aching joints after a long day on the water. She smiled when Kara went right over to hug her as Dan went to change his clothes.

“How was dinner, love?”

“Surprisingly lovely. Judith went all out with homemade stuffies, seafood casserole and her chocolate cake, whichsomeone—mentioning no names—had two pieces of and brought another home for later.”

“Her chocolate cake is to die for,” Bertha said.

“She sent you and Buster some, along with enough leftovers for dinner tomorrow.”

“That was nice of her.”

Kara had already filled in her grandmother on Judith’s visit and their conversation. “She seems to be really trying to be different.”

“I see that, too. I just hope it lasts.”

“I guess we’ll find out.”

“Who else came to dinner?”

“Kendra and the girls, Kolby and Keenan. It was a nice time. Dad invited us to come by the office tomorrow so Dan can check it out, and we’re going to lunch after.”

“I’m happy for you, sweetheart. I’ve long hoped to see you reconcile with them in a meaningful way. Estrangements are exhausting. Just ask your father about that.”

“Yeah, they are exhausting, and I’m glad, too.”

Dan returned to the kitchen. “Where’d you put that cake, hon?”

“I hid it from you.”

“I’ll find it. I can sniff out cake like a dog with a bone.”

Bertha laughed. “Take pity on him, Kara. He’s a growing boy.”

“Please, Kara. I need my cake.”

She rolled her eyes at him and went to get it from the hiding spot in Bertha’s bread box.

“Yesss!”

Bertha handed him a fork.

“Don’t moan to me that you’re getting a dad bod,” Kara said as she fixed herself a glass of ice water.

“You like when I moan to you,” he said around a mouthful of cake.

Kara gave him her sternest look. “Not in front of Bertha.”

Bertha rocked with silent laughter. “Oh, how I love you two.”

“We love you, too,” Kara said. “We’re coming up here more often going forward. I don’t want to go months and months without seeing you.”

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