Luke feared the worst because Evan hadn’t come home since the accident. The consequences for the young man might be to send him back to the mental health clinic or make him live with his father. Much as he was beginning to think of himself as an adult, he appreciated that being in the care of Evan and Loretta was somehow keeping him from these nasty alternatives, possibly affording him the best life he could have. Even though Luke was wildly worshipful of Melissa, he’d come to adore Loretta. Not only because of the sisterly resemblance but also because, even though Loretta was only two years older, it had always fallen to her to be the responsible one. Luke felt safe with her. He took his meds faithfully to please her. She’d left a void, and he worried that in time her absence could become
