There was just no good way for a dead son to greet his mother almost two weeks after his funeral.

What is more tormenting than a meeting after a long time, when all the words fall to the ground like dead things, and the spirit that should animate them floats disembodied in the air? We both felt its presence.

His warmth, which seemed to presume upon some happy old intimacy we did not share, had thrown me into awkwardness.

Reunion reveals friendship potential that haven't yet been emerged in the past.

It was like a reunion.

No, you should stay right where you are, or my estranged brother and I will settle our difference by seeing who can break more of your bones."

Tod glanced at him, brows raised. "You want to settle our differences?"

Nash frowned. "No, I want to break every bone in his body, and I didn't think you'd let me do it alone."

Tod nodded. "Good call.