A little less than a year later he ran into Tom again. Jack was driving home from a site and saw his friend walking down the street. Jack parked his pickup haphazardly at the curb, hopped out, and enveloped his friend in a bear hug.
“Tommy! I’m so glad to see you! What are you doing here? It isn’t your momma’s birthday.” His cheeks ached from how broad his grin was.
“Jack. Hello.” Tom’s lack of exuberance shocked Jack.
“Buddy?”
“My grandfather died.”
“I’m sorry.” Jack wanted to kick himself. He’d heard Tom’s grandpa had passed away. The surprised pleasure of seeing his friend had driven everything out of his mind.
“So am I.” Tom’s eyes were bright with unshed tears. “He was the best man I knew.”
“Oh, buddy.” Jack patted him awkwardly on the shoulder, nonplussed.
He remembered when
