Luther Hemmick was a tall, rake-thin man with a severe face. He didn't have much hair left but he kept a pepper beard trimmed short and neat. Even across the room Neil could see the tense set to his shoulders. Luther wasn't looking forward to this reunion anymore than Nicky was. Neil hoped that Luther was uncomfortable because he intended to relax old prejudices.

Maria went straight to the stove to check on dinner, making herself busy and abandoning the conversation as quickly as she could. Luther didn't look at her but took his time inspecting his guests. His expression didn't change as he considered Neil and Kevin, and he didn't linger long on them.

Neil didn't think it his imagination that Luther stared longer at Andrew than he did his own son. It made him wonder if Luther suspected Andrew's involvement in his sister's death, and whether or not some part of Luther blamed him either way. Nicky said Andrew's release from juvie drove Tilda deeper into her depression and drugs. Maybe Luther regretted ever finding out Andrew existed.

Neil distracted himself by looking around the room, from the small crosses and biblical quotes hanging on the walls to the catalogue-perfect kitchen. The square table only had two chairs by it, but the back door was open. The screen door was closed, but Neil could see through it to a deck. A larger table was back there and already set to accommodate all of them.

"Nicky," Luther finally said. "Aaron, Andrew."

Nicky had gone mute, but Aaron said, "Hey, Uncle Luther."

Luther smiled, but it was faint. He looked at Neil and Kevin again. "I am Nicky's father. You may call me Luther. Welcome to my home."

"Thank you for having us," Kevin said.

"You can set that down in here," Luther said with a look at Neil's racquet. He waited until Neil propped it against the wall, then motioned to the back door. "Please get comfortable. Dinner will only be another minute."

Nicky took them to the back porch. It was enclosed with half walls and a thin mesh. Heat lamps were set at every corner. The mesh let some of the heat escape but also kept most of the November breeze out, so it was more comfortable out back than it was in the house.

The table had eight seats, three to each side and a seat at either end. Judging by the lacy handkerchief at one end, the Hemmicks would take the end seats and spread their guests out between them. Nicky took a middle seat on one side, keeping a chair between himself and either of his parents. Aaron sat between Nicky and Maria's chair. Kevin and Neil stuck Andrew between them on the other side where they could keep an eye on him, Neil closer to Luther and Kevin by Maria.