Jack spotted Aunt Nadine standing alone and looking lost. Oh no.

He inched around to Terra and leaned closer. “Going to check on my aunt.”

She appeared mesmerized with Leif’s and Owen’s stories and probably wouldn’t have even noticed he’d left.

He approached his aunt and offered his arm. “Hey, where’s Josey?”

“Oh, she left already.” Aunt Nadine pulled a slip of paper from her purse—a poster about Freckles—and handed it to Jack. “Will you help me put up posters here for Owen’s friends to see?”

Taking the slip from her, he smiled for her sake, though his heart ached. “Why don’t we wait for now? I’ll be sure to give this to Terra and Owen, and they can share with their friends. In the meantime, let’s get you something to eat and drink.”

He ushered her over to where burgers were being served. They got plates and grabbed all the fixings, including drinks. Jack found a table where he could sit with his aunt and hoped there would be a good moment to simply slip away unnoticed. He felt out of place.

Then Terra took the seat next to him. She smiled at his aunt. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

“Oh, Terra.” Aunt Nadine’s face lit up. “It’s been so long.”

His aunt reached across him to touch Terra’s hand.

Jack feared sitting together was a bad idea. Aunt Nadine might say the wrong thing since her mind sometimes went back a few years. She might refer to Jack and Terra like they were still together or remind him he needed to make things right with Terra.

He produced the paper with Freckles’s picture and placed it on the table.

“Oh,” Aunt Nadine said. “Where did you get that? I didn’t realize you had brought a poster.” She squeezed his arm and then looked at Terra. “My nephew is such a thoughtful person.”

“What’s this?” Terra lifted the poster. “Another stray? He’s a cutie. I hope you find his owner soon.”

“You mean, his boy.”

“Pardon?”

“Freckles has a boy, and we’re searching for his boy.”

Terra briefly glanced at Jack, compassion in her eyes. “Well, of course Freckles has a boy. I can’t wait to meet Freckles so I can know him better and help search for his boy.”

Aunt Nadine ate some of her burger.

“See that man talking to Gramps?” She glanced at Jack.

“Yeah. Who is he?”

“His name is Marcus Briggs. Gramps hired him to be his campaign manager.”

Jack almost choked on his drink. “So he is running. I kind of figured.” He caught himself before he said more. “What office?”

“State representative,” she said.