Comfort And Joy
How much pride did a man have to swallow to ensure his kids' well-being?Gabriel Brant figured he was about to find out. As he drove past a sign that read, Welcome to Hennings, Best Little City in New York State, he glanced in his rearview mirror to check on the twins. Justin's eyes—far too old for a five-year-old's—met his.
"Daddy, Jared's hungry." Ever since Hurricane Katrina had destroyed their home and Gabriel's restaurant a little over two years ago, Jared hadn't spoken. With the uncanny sensitivity of a twin, Justin spoke for him.
"We're almost at your grandfather's." The thought worked Gabriel's stomach into knots. "He said he'd have lunch ready." Something out of a can, more than likely. The old man would do it deliberately. To emphasize that a talent for cooking was no big deal.
A third of the way down Main Street, Gabriel turned right onto Chestnut, where the storefronts gave way to residences. Two days before Thanksgiving and still not a snowflake in sight, yet some of the houses were already decorated for Christmas.
"Daddy, we see Santa!" Justin exclaimed, pointing to a large plastic figure next to one front door.
"Does he come to Grampa's, too? ... read full excerpt from Comfort and Joy ebook
