Dad said, “Your mom said it’s time we come out and see our new granddaughter. See the old one, too. So we came out.”

“You closed the store, Dad?”

Dad shrugged. “We’re old now. Life is short. Besides, when Mom says come out, we come out.”

Decker laughed and shook his head. “Where is Mom?”

“Baking and cooking with your wife, your big daughter, your mother-in-law, and the baby nurse—all of them been chatting like magpies. Speaking of pies, they’re baking lots of pies for your party. Apple, strawberry, cherry, apricot, and peach. No boysenberry. Fresh is too expensive. Smells good, don’t it?”

Decker became aware of his nose. “Yes, it smells very good.”

“Your barn’s a mess, Son.”

Decker smiled. “Yes, it is.”

“I bought some two-by-fours. Figured I could make myself useful as long as Mom dragged me out here.”

“Dad, you don’t have to do that.”

“Heck, it’s better than sitting around, listening to the ladies chirp.” He patted Decker’s back. “You got a beautiful little girl, Son. Two of ’em. Good Lord, Cindy’s big and wonderful. You and Jan did something right.”

Decker slapped his dad’s back. “Good role models. Let me say hello to everybody. Then I’ll meet you in the barn.”

“Your boys are out there now. I got them sortin’ nails. It’s okay if they help?”

“It’s fine.”

“Good. Put some meat on their bones. Especially the younger one. He’s as skinny as a stick.”

“Jake’s thin but healthy.”

“Yeah, he’s a wiry guy. But a little muscle wouldn’t hurt him none.” The old man looked over his son. “You still look good.”

Decker smiled. “The yearly physicals force me to stay fit, Dad.”

“Don’t do much for your brother,” Lyle said. “He’s got a gut on him bigger than a sumo wrestler. You come out to the barn when you’re done with the womenfolk. And get outta that suit. Can’t fix a barn in a suit.”

“I’m aware of that, Dad.”

The elder Decker smiled. “Good to see you, Son.”

“Good to see you, too.”

Dad walked outside. Decker was about to turn off the TV when he saw a promo for the six o’clock news—a tearful and joyous Lourdes Rodriguez being handed a pink-blanketed bundle. Matty Lopez was at her side. He looked happy, but less so. Impending fatherhood had suddenly become a reality for the teenager.

Decker switched off the picture and went inside the kitchen. As per his father’s lament, the place was as noisy as a chicken coop. Mom was as no-nonsense as ever, her salt-and-pepper hair tied in a bun, a starched white apron neatly covering her dress. Her weight was perfectly proportioned to her five feet eight inches—as it had been all her life. Ida Decker was a slender, strong woman with busy hands and an opinion on everything.