He spent the next day packing and getting ready to drive to Kansas City. Even if he was going for a sad reason, he’d grown up there with a large extended family and considered it home.

Early the next morning, he loaded up and left Springfield, then connected later to northbound I-49. The day was clear, the traffic moderate. It was about a four-hour drive away, give or take, and he should be there around noon.

He was braced for the tears and stories that would be flying at the family dinner tonight, but he would be glad to see his brother, David, again.

He already knew from David’s phone call this morning that David’s wife, Linda, would be at their aunt June’s house helping get ready for the family gathering, and neither of his kids would be coming home to attend. David’s daughter was in college in California, and his married son was in the Coast Guard and stationed along the Florida coast. Both children had opted not to come, so Marc and David would go to the gathering together.

David told him where the spare key to his house was hidden, and if Marc got there before he got off work to just go in and make himself at home. So when Marc arrived a little after eleven, he got his bag, let himself in the house, and went straight to the guest room where he’d stayed before.

* * *

David Adamos took off work at noon and would not be returning until the day after the funeral, so when he saw Marc’s car already in the drive, he broke into a grin then came in the front door, calling out Marc’s name.

“Marco.”

Marc grinned as he came up the hall. “Polo,” he answered, which was exactly what David was expecting.

David laughed out loud, then gave Marc a quick hug.

“Have you had lunch?” David asked.

“No.”

“Then how do you feel about burgers and fries? You know the food tonight is going to be mostly traditional Greek dishes and loads of them. Linda and one of the cousins are making dolmas right now. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near that kitchen today while they’re making the rice and lamb stuffing. They’d have the both of us rolling it up in grape leaves.”

“For sure,” Marc said. “I remember dolmas were Uncle Wayne’s favorites, and yes, burgers work for me,” Marc said. “Let me wash up. It won’t take long.”

“Can I drive your Hummer?” David asked.

Marc grinned. “Sure, and you can buy me lunch, too.”

David laughed. “Done.”

* * *

They talked all the way to the restaurant, and all the way through their meal, catching up on family news, and as always David wanted to hear about Marc’s latest adventures.

“So, was it as scary seeing that volcano on-site as it was for us seeing it on the news? When I found out you were there, I said a few prayers for you. Did you have any close calls?”