"Can we call him? He's with Grandpa Deaton," Gabe asked, feeling hopeful that maybe his dad would know him. He felt more confident now that Mamaw knew who he was. "Is Mommy going to be okay?"

~~

"Hey pal," John said, pulling up a stool. "You got to quit getting hurt like this. My heart can't take it." It was meant as a joke, but it probably went over poorly. "What happened?"