Chapter 36
West Bumfuck, AR
HE PUT ON HIS friendliest face, walked across the room, and said, “Hi, Grandma, hi, Grandpa. It’s been a long time.”
The old couple stood, but not without effort, and greeted him.
“I’d have recognized you anywhere,” his grandmother said. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“I’m a whole lot older and a little bit heavier.”
“That happens to most everybody.”
Chris extended a hand to the little boy. “And you must be my brother, Teddy.”
“Yes, Sir,” the boy said as he took Chris’ hand. Up close Chris saw that Teddy was obviously troubled about something.
“Ma says that you might like to come live with me in Florida.”
“Yes, Sir. Do you live near the ocean?”
“Unfortunately, no, but the beach is just twenty miles away. I do live on a river, but it’s not really safe to
