Free Touching Stars by Emilie Richards

lovelier as she smiled. “I do appreciate it.”
     
    “So where’s everybody else?” Eric asked Noah. “I didn’t mean to sleep so late and miss everyone.”
    Noah didn’t look at him. “Jared took off a while ago. He’s gone more than he’s here. Dillon’s around somewhere. What can I get you?”
    Eric patted the rocker beside his. “Why don’t you sit a little while and enjoy the view with me? I ate those great pancakes somebody left. Did you make them?”
    “Jared did. He’s made them for you before, but you probably don’t remember.”
    Eric heard the barb in what on the surface sounded like a simple explanation. He probably didn’t remember because he probably hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Just the way he rarely paid attention to anything that was happening in the lives of his sons.
    “It’s cool for early summer.” Eric put his hands behind his head and stared out at the river glimmering in the distance. Small talk was an effort, but he wanted to try. “The weather’s as close to being perfect as I’ve ever seen it.”
    He waited for Noah to sit, and finally his patience was rewarded. But the boy didn’t reply.
    Eric tried another gambit. “It’s going to feel odd, isn’t it, to have Jared gone next year. You two are good friends.”
    “We fight like all brothers.”
    Eric glanced at Noah, who was staring into the distance. He had matured, not as remarkably as Jared, but adulthood was looming. Still, there was a natural affability that would not change with age. Under most circumstances he was both approachable and sympathetic. Eric wondered if this son was learning to discern the difference between people he should trust and people he should not.
    Perhaps he was, because it was clear he didn’t trust his father.
    “I used to fight with my sisters, but most of the time they were right and I wasn’t.” Eric smiled in encouragement. “I’m sure you can’t say the same thing.”
    “I doubt the way you grew up has much to do with the way I have.”
    “Well, I had both parents in residence, if that’s what you mean.”
    “No, I mean Jared and I might fight sometimes, but we’re close.” Noah turned to look at his father. “He’s not going to go off and pretend I don’t exist.”
    “Wow, the arrows are coming from all directions this morning. Apparently ducking isn’t an option.”
    “It’s just a fact. You’re not close to your sisters or your parents.”
    Or his kids. Tarred with the same brush. Eric felt more tired than he had on waking, but he realized he could at least explain this much.
    “Your grandparents are very traditional people. Maybe you’ve noticed that?”
    “On the rare occasions when I’ve seen them?”
    “My father wanted a son worse than he wanted the next breath of air. Three daughters later, he finally got one. Me. So I was the prince of the household. It’s no surprise my sisters don’t like me. They resent the way they were required to kowtow, and I can’t blame them. I’ve tried to put things right, but there’s a lot of history to outlive.”
    “My grandparents don’t treat you much like a prince these days.”
    “Your grandfather wanted me to stay in Texas and run his dry-cleaning chain. He’s never forgiven me for disappointing him. Your grandmother doesn’t cross him.”
    “And that’s why none of them offered to take you in this summer?”
    The silence stretched too long. “That would be why,” Eric said at last. “But I think maybe you wish they had.”
    There was no time for Noah to respond. Dillon raced around the side of the house and took the steps at a run.
    “Hey, Dad, you’re up!”
    Eric could feel what little energy he had draining away.
    Dillon stopped just in front of them. “Me and Noah were going swimming, but we don’t have to go. We could do something together.”
    Eric managed a weak smile. “Not up to that yet, champ.”
    “Then we could stay here. I’ve got stuff to show you. Noah, you can