Long Lost Read Free Page A

freckles, glasses, thin. “What’s all the noise about? You guys having an argument?”
    “The opposite,” Kate said.
    “What’s up?”
    Looking at Jason’s glasses, I was reminded that
Petey
had needed glasses, too. But the man outside wasn’t wearing any. I suddenly felt as if I had needles in my stomach. Had I been conned?
    Kate crouched before Jason. “Do you remember we told you that your father had a brother?”
    “Sure. Dad talked about him on that TV show.”
    “He disappeared when he was a boy,” Kate said.
    Jason nodded uneasily. “I had a nightmare about it.”
    “Well, you don’t have to have nightmares about it anymore,” Kate said. “Guess what? He came back today. You’re going to meet him.”
    “Yeah?” Jason brightened. “When?”
    “Just as soon as we open the front door.”
    I tried to say something to Kate, to express my sudden misgivings, but she was already heading down the hallway toward the front door. The next thing, she had it open, and I don’t know what she expected, but I doubt that the scruffy—looking man out there matched her idealized image of the long—lost brother. He turned from where he’d been smoking a cigarette, admiring the treed area in front of the house. His knapsack was next to him.
    “Petey?” Kate asked.
    He shifted from one work boot to the other, ill at ease. “These days, I think ‘Peter’ sounds a little more grownup.”
    “Please, come in.”
    “Thanks.” He looked down at his half—smoked cigarette, glanced at the interior of the house, pinched off the glowing tip, then put the remnant in his shirt pocket.
    “I hope you can stay for supper,” Kate said.
    “I don’t want to put you out any.”
    “Nonsense. We’d love to have you.”
    “To tell the truth, I’d appreciate it. I can’t remember when I last had a home—cooked meal.”
    “This is Jason.” Kate gestured proudly toward our son.
    “Hi, Jace.” The man shook hands with him. “Do you like to play baseball?”
    “Yeah,” Jason said, “but I’m not very good at it.”
    “Reminds me of myself at your age. Tell you what. After supper, we’ll play catch. How does that sound?”
    “Great.”
    “Well, let’s not keep you standing on the porch. Come in,” Kate said. “I’ll get you something to drink.”
    “A beer if you’ve got it.” The man who said he was Petey started to follow Kate inside.
    But before he crossed the threshold, I had to know. “Are you wearing contact lenses?”
    “No.” The man frowned in confusion. “What makes you ask?”
    “You needed glasses when you were a kid.”
    “Still do.” The man reached into his knapsack and pulled out a small case, opening it, showing a pair of spectacles, one lens of which was broken. “This happened yesterday morning. But I can get around all right. As you know, I need glasses just for distance. Was that a little test or something?”
    Emotion made my throat ache. “Petey … welcome home.”

5
    “This is the best pot roast I ever tasted, Mrs. Denning.”
    “Please, you’re part of the family. Call me Kate.”
    “And these mashed potatoes are out of this world.”
    “I’m afraid I cheated and used butter. Now our cholesterol counts will be shot to hell.”
    “I never pay attention to stuff like that. As long as it’s food, it’s welcome.” When Petey smiled, his chipped front tooth was visible.
    Jason couldn’t help staring at it.
    “You want to know how I got this?” Petey gestured toward the tooth.
    “Jason, you’re being rude,” Kate said.
    “Not at all.” Petey chuckled. “He’s just curious, the same as I was when I was a kid. Jace, last summer I was on a roofing project in Colorado Springs. I fell off a ladder. That’s also how I got this scar on my chin. Good thing I was close to the ground when I fell. I could have broken my neck.”
    “Is that where you live now?” I asked. “In Colorado Springs?”
    “Lord no. I don’t live anywhere.”
    I stopped chewing.
    “But