When Andy came back from walking the dog, Scooter was on the sofa, a picture frame tucked up against his chest. Trick, worn out from the long walk, hopped up next to him, panting agreeably. “Hey,” Scooter said, voice a little hoarse. “Good walk?”
“Yep,” Andy said. He sat on the other side of the sofa and kissed Scooter in greeting. “Pretty moon tonight. You okay?”
“Yeah,” Scooter said. He brushed his fingers across his cheeks, as if to catch tears that weren’t there. “Jus’ thinking, s’all.”
“You’re not thinking of doing something noble and stupid like refusing the money, are you?” Andy leaned against Scooter’s side, getting comfortable.
Scooter turned the picture frame he was holding so Andy could see it. “Ma would smack me upside the head if I did anything that stupid,” he said. “She
