“Oh, God, Nathan… what have you done? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”
He lowered his gaze.
“Grandpa’s selling the house. Cole and I have been helping him save Dad’s things.”
“What things?”
Nathan rubbed his eyes.
“There’s something Dad started making before I was born. I wanted to finish it.”
***
He explained that he and Cole had spent their nights in Frank’s guest room and their days working in his workshop. Frank had known all along that both mothers believed the boys were elsewhere.
“I begged him not to tell you,” Nathan said.
“He’s the adult. He should’ve known better.”
“Why didn’t you ask me?” I continued.
“Because you would’ve said no.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Mom, you won’t even drive down Grandpa’s street.”
Before I could defend myself, Nathan went on.
“Last month, I asked what Dad was like when he was my age. You told me to take out the trash.”
