“Like wha’?” their father asked.

“Falling ass-down drunk, that’s what. Caleb might think you’re funny, but you’re not, and Trinity is at that age where she’s impressionable and—oh, hell, why am I even trying to explain? You won’t remember, you probably don’t care.” Prescott wasn’t in the mood to pull any punches. He was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt that was inside out, evidence that he, too, had been sleeping when Edward had landed on his doorstep. “This is not acceptable, Dad. Not acceptable.” To Jase, he added, “He needs treatment. Now.”

Edward tried to struggle to his feet, failed, and sat back down. Hard. “I ain’t goin’ to any of those rehab places, and you two know it. I jes’ need a little cash to get me back on my feet.”

“Not happening!” Prescott crossed his arms over his chest. “But there’s the matter of money. Rehab isn’t cheap, and I’m tapped out with the new house and all.” He stared pointedly at Jase. “You’re up.”

“I thought I was buying you out.”

“The farm?” Ed blinked, the sodden wheels in his mind beginning to turn. “You buyin’ the farm?”

“We’re talking, that’s all,” Jase said to him. “Sit down, Prescott.”

“Hell, no. I’m not sitting down. Lena’s already beyond pissed. Wants to call the preacher for an intervention, but what then? How do we swing that? The church has got some sort of program, but—”

“I ain’t goin’ to no fancy-pants holier-than-thou church camp. It ain’t my style.”

“Not camp, Dad,” Prescott reminded him. “Treatment. It has nothing to do with style, but everything to do with addiction.”

“Sheeeit. I don’t need no treatment. I just need a little—”

“Cash. Yeah, I know. Jase knows. We all know.” Prescott threw up his hands. “God, do we all know. Dad, I’ve had it.” To Jase, he said, “Lena wants nothing to do with this. If we go with the church program, you and I have to sponsor him. Lena’s out.” He pointed to Jase. “We set it up. Get the preacher and his wife involved, and by the way, that’s going to kill Lena to have them know, but . . . whatever. If we do this, Jase, you and Dad set up some kind of payment program. Otherwise he’s your problem! Totally. I’m out!”

“Problem?” Edward pulled a face, chewed on that. His head wobbled, a frown pulling down the corners of his mouth. “I ain’t nobody’s problem, least of all you boys. And you know I don’t mean to trouble you boys, but I’m just a little short this month.”

Prescott shot Jase a look that said can-you-believe-this?

“You are a problem, Dad. For me. For Lena. For my kids. And for Jase here, who is stupid enough to send you money to feed your addiction.”