Jack watched his son walking up to him. Ben was only inches below him in height nowadays, a fact that made Jack’s heart swell. Where had the time gone? When did his son get so old, he could look him in the eye? What happened to the scabby-kneed youth who followed him everywhere with wonder in his eyes and mischief in his smile? Now Ben merely scowled at him with his shoulders hunched, and his jeans hanging too low. He hated how sloppy Ben kept himself. But that wasn’t a battle worth waging. He was having enough trouble keeping Ben out of trouble.
“What were you doing?”
Ben shrugged. “Nothing.”
Jack waited. Ben didn’t say anything further. Fine. Okay. Shrugs. That was the extent of his son’s interactions with him. Damn adolescence. Jack put a hand to his neck and pressed.
“She’s too old
