Grandpa, who'd been sitting and observing us as I taught a few tricks to my brothers, sat closer to me. The boys were practicing the movements I had taught them, in pairs, and I was observing them.
"I can see you take your role as the head of the family very seriously," he said.
"Ex-head," I said. "You're the one in charge of them, now. I'm just helping you, now."
He nodded, still observing them.
"They're great boys," he said. "And they seem to be doing well here. Even make some... unusual friends."
Grandpa clearly felt ambiguous about Tommy. I could understand that. I did too. He was a bit weird. But then, considering the friends Sam had, Tommy was an improvement. It seemed like I was starting to influence my brothers' choice of friends.
"Yeah," I said. "They do very well. Sam is th
