Age 14
Kent found Patrick in his living room, wrestling Oliver while Lily clung to his back. Oliver squealed, kicking and laughing as Patrick tickled him. Lily tightened her small arm around her father’s throat in a mock hold.
Kent paused in the doorway, amused, before clearing his throat.
Patrick looked up, his face splitting into the wide grin he always wore when playing with his kids.
“Hey, man,” he panted, working to untangle Lily’s arm. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I’ve got a favor to ask,” Kent said, rocking back on his heels and sliding his hands into his pockets. “Didn’t realize I’d be interrupting the spar of the century.”
“I almost got him in a chokehold, Uncle Kent,” Lily beamed up at him.
“I saw,” he replied, grinning down at her. She had blond hair like her mother,
