Chapter 21Spring turned to summer, and Toby shifted the house’s climate system from heating to cooling, although the weather remained cool and damp right through June. Xander and Alex closed up the dining room again, shifting group meals with the Bannister crew to the western porch, where they could set up small tables and give each other plenty of space while enjoying the splendid view at twilight.
Concerned for his grandparents’ health, Xander established a local doctor in Garrison for them with his mother’s help and had their regular doctor share all of their prescriptions and files. So far, the old couple was thriving, only regretting their enforced separation from Barbara and Thomas, and complaining now and then of being bored.
Alex had taken to calling his father every evening, jus
