Vaughn opened his mouth to reply but the words seemed to stick in his throat. Vaughn held Randy’s left hand with the grip of a man convinced his partner was about to be carried away. Both Randy’s and Vaughn’s eyes were bright and shiny. Tears? In Randy’s eyes, maybe…but his father’s?
Randy cleared his throat. “I think…we think…it would be best if I stayed in DC for a bit. My mother…” He took a second to draw a breath and work sound through his throat again. “She’s going to need some help. Henry’s here, but his back isn’t what it used to be, and if something happens again…”
“You can’t be serious.” Lyle frowned at Randy. “So what? You’re just going to leave my father alone? And what about the kids? What the hell will you say to Isaac and Hannah?”
“It won’t be forever,” Vaughn mumbled. He
