As she plumped the pillow beneath her neck, she thought about the time he caught Junior and Ray teasing her and pulling her hair. He walked up behind them, grabbed both of them by the hair, and yanked so hard they fell backwards, yelling and begging him to stop.

“Did that hurt?” he asked.

“Yeah! What’s the matter with you?” Junior yelled.

“Now you know how Ava felt. Do it again and I’ll shave you bald,” he said.

He was fourteen, and in her eyes, practically perfect.

Ava sighed, then rolled over onto her side, remembering how he’d helped her with math she couldn’t get, and given her the last cookie on the plate for a treat when she finally understood.

Hunt was always my hero.

Then she closed her eyes and finally fell asleep.

* * *

Hunt woke early and lay there for a few moments, wishing for his NordicTrack or access to some weights. He was used to running at least two miles every morning before work, and the change in routine was just another aspect of what was happening.

But he could still exercise, and so he rolled out of bed, put on a pair of shorts, dropped to the floor, and started doing push-ups. He quit after a hundred and went to shower. At least he’d worked off a little of the nervous energy he was feeling at having to appear at the reading of the will. He did not look forward to another cold reception, but considering the circumstances, it was to be expected.

* * *

The New Year’s Day marathon of football games, and the ensuing party at Ray’s house, had lasted up into the wee hours of the morning. Junior set his alarm after he got home so he wouldn’t miss the reading, then after he’d had breakfast and dressed, he left to go get Ray.

Ray came out of his house carrying a cup of coffee.

“You look like hell,” Junior said, eyeing his little brother’s bloodshot eyes.

Ray winced. “I feel like it, too. I had a little too much to drink last night…but it was a good game, right?”

Junior nodded. “Yeah. Anytime the Atlanta Falcons win a game is good for me.”

They rode in silence for a couple of blocks, and then Ray glanced out the window into the side-view mirror.

“Hunt’s behind us,” Ray said.

Junior glanced up in the rearview mirror and saw his mama’s old black pickup and frowned. He wasn’t looking forward to facing Hunt. Still, he felt the need to be defiant.

“So?”

Ray sighed. “You know, he was gone so long, and no one ever mentioned his name… I almost forgot we had another brother.”

“Mama obviously didn’t forget,” Junior said.

Ray took another sip from his cup and let the conversation slide.

They drove up to the law office of P. Nutt Butterman, Esq., parked, and got out.