Free walked into his childhood home and yelled, “I’m home.”
“What’s with the yelling?” his mom called from the living room.
Free left his jacket in the foyer and walked into the living room, where his mother was entertaining some guests. Whoops. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t know you had people over.”
She rose from her seat and kissed his cheek. “You might be more aware of what happens around here if you visited more often. How are you?”
“I’m fine. I wanted to drop off these.” He pulled the tickets for opening night from his pocket.
“Oh, lovely.” She turned to her friends. “My son, Humphrey, is starring in A Christmas Carol.”
“I’m not starring. I’m Fred.”
She poked his arm. “Still a major role. It’s not like you’re a caroler.”
“They couldn’t cast me as a caroler. I can’t sing for sh—anythi
