“No, I don’t want you guys to stay out of my hair,” Decker said. “I love you both and look forward to spending some time with you two, doing stuff I did as a kid. But right now, I’m a little grumpy. Do me a favor and overlook it.”

The boys nodded.

Decker said, “We never did take in a baseball game this summer.”

Sammy said, “It’s okay. We got lots of years to do that.”

“It was a boring season anyway,” Jacob said.

Decker smiled. “I’ll buy some Lakers tickets. I’ve got a contact. You like basketball, right?”

“Sure,” Sammy said.

Jacob asked, “Does your father have horses like you?”

“My father doesn’t live on a ranch,” Decker said. “He lives in a plain old house with a few chickens in the back. My mother loves fresh eggs. My uncle’s the one with the real ranch. Acres of land with lots of cattle and chickens and goats and pigs and horses. A real working ranch. We’ll spend some time there. It’s not too hot at this time of year. Uncle Wilbert’s a little offbeat. He chews tobacco, spits and cusses a whole lot. You’ll have to get used to him. He’s not like anybody in your family.”

Rina said, “I can believe that.”

“He’s a great guy,” Decker said defensively.

“Take it easy, Peter,” Rina said. “I’m sure he is. I’m looking forward to getting to know your family.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

Rina took his hand. “You think I’m an incredible snob. I’m not at all. I probably have a lot more in common with your mother than you think. We’re both basically homebodies, you know. We’ll start talking food, all the ice will melt. Stop worrying.”

“I’m not worrying,” Decker said. He smiled at the boys, pulled the visors of their baseball caps over their eyes. Rina had allowed them to wear caps instead of kipahs. They were dressed in long-sleeved flannel shirts and jeans. Except for the fringes hanging out of their shirts, they were indistinguishable from any other American kid.

Reaching into his wallet, he pulled out another set of tens and said, “Go buy yourself something real nice.”

The boys’ faces lit up. “Thanks!” they said in unison.

“How come when I give them money,” Rina said, “they check with you. When you give them money, you get this rousing thanks.”

Sammy kissed his mother’s cheek. “Thanks.”

Jacob said, “Yeah, thanks, Eema.”

“No kiss, Yonkel?” Rina said.

Jacob smiled and kissed her.

Sammy hit his mother’s arm and pointed. “Look!”

Rina’s eyes traveled in the appointed direction and widened when they fell on the right spot.

All of them had come.

Jonathan was the first to spot Peter. He was also the first one Peter noticed.

“Come on, boys,” Rina said. “I’ll take you to the gift shop—”