Clark nodded. “If you don’t mind me asking, Sylvia, do you know how the investigation is going? They won’t talk about it at work.”
She leaned in. “If you don’t mind me asking, Clark, why do you want to know?”
I fought the grin like I’d fought not to cry. Mom gave good grill. Mom could char a man’s skin off him she could grill so well. “Nord told me a story about you,” I chimed in with, “after we first met. I’d just got back from camping. He said your family tried it once.”
Mom laughed. “Once was plenty.”
“He said the bear was more afraid of you than you were of it.”
Mom’s head bobbed as she sighed. I heard the crack in the exhale. Two could play at that holding back the tears schtick. I’d learned from the master. “Stupid s**t tried to eat our food.” FYI, her maternal instincts extende
