“Dunno,” Charlie said. “I’m not there yet. My Japanese teacher said I’m gonna like the food and the culture. What’s culture, anyway?”

“It’s everything,” said Bernie. “Duh. Mom, when can we go to Japan to visit Charlie?”

“We can’t,” said her older sister, Nan. “He lives with his other family there, and they’re the enemy.”

“Are not,” Charlie snapped.

“He’s right,” said China. “They are not the enemy. Where in the world did you get that idea?”

“After people split up, they’re enemies,” said Nan, with firm authority.

“That’s just silly. Tell Charlie you’re sorry.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Sometimes I feel the same way,” Charlie admitted, mumbling past another bite of pie.

Logan lost his appetite. He ached for the kid. Was there any way to protect him from feeling torn loyalties? Any way to protect him from the life Logan and Daisy had given him? He hadn’t asked to be born to two people who weren’t meant to be together. All he wanted was to be part of a family, a regular kid. But Logan wasn’t sure it was his job to make the kid feel okay about moving halfway around the globe.

“Hey,” he said, “you’re in Florida, you stood up on a surfboard today, you had an epic Thanksgiving dinner and pumpkin pie. So life is good.”

“Yeah.” Charlie nodded agreeably enough.

“We have a lot,” said Logan. “A lot to be thankful for.”

“Yep.”

“Friends and family,” China said.

“Full bellies and Florida sunshine,” Marion added.

“And pie that makes me forget the whole world,” Darcy said. “Marion, I really appreciate being here with you guys.”

“I wish you could stay longer,” said Logan’s mother.

Logan checked his watch. “That reminds me. My shift is about to start.”

“How’s that? Are we eating in shifts now?” asked Bilski.

“Charlie and I are going to help serve dinner at Ryder House. It’s a place for kids who aren’t with their families.”

“Are they orphans?” asked Bernie.

“Some of them, yes. And some are just there temporarily. They come from lots of different circumstances.”

“Can I come?” Bernie asked.

“If you want to help,” he said, looking around the room. “Anyone else?”

“I’ll join you,” Darcy said. “I need to find a way out of this food-induced trance.”

The SUV was full, with Charlie and three of his cousins buckled in the backseat and Darcy in the front. The cargo area was loaded with boxed pies Logan had ordered the day before from the Sky High Pie Company, his contribution to the community feast. The afternoon light of South Florida gilded the neighborhood in a dreamy sheen, but as they left Paradise Cove behind, the scenery shed its charm, like the sad aftermath of a parade.