“Uncle Van!” Scott saw Vance as he stepped out of the car and raced over to hug him. WJ, being older, refrained from such childish displays of emotion, but his face did light up. Then they saw King. Vance held up one hand to keep them from trying to let him out of the car until he’d told King he could stop guarding. Only when the dog relaxed did he open the door. The boys immediately began petting him, receiving licks as their reward.
Walt joined them, telling the boys it was time for them to get ready for school. For a moment they looked as if they’d rebel, until Vance said King would be there when they got home. As soon as they were gone, Walt looked Vance over with the practiced eye of a bartender and friend, as he said, “It’s been a while.”
Vance nodded. “It has. Sorry.”
“Hey, I kno
