Cathy went back into the kitchen with Lon right behind her.

“Something smells good,” Lon said, as he walked in. “Hey Duke. Did you get one for me?”

Duke grinned. “I ate it,” he said.

“I’ll remember that next time Mercy invites all of you to dinner,” Lon said, and sat down in the chair beside Melvin Lee.

“Hello son. You’re sure wet. I’ll bet you’re cold, too, huh?”

“A little,” Melvin Lee, said, and stuffed a French fry in his mouth.

“I’m Chief Pittman. You’re Melvin Lee Wilson, aren’t you? I know your mama and daddy.”

Melvin nodded, and kept chewing.

“Your Mama just called the police station in a panic. She was crying. She doesn’t know where you are and she’s scared for your safety,” Lon said.

“She just wants me to watch the babies,” Melvin Lee said.

Lon looked a little startled, and then glanced up at Duke and Cathy.

“Melvin Lee is a little overwhelmed with life,” Duke said.

“His mama’s having another baby,” Cathy added.

“She makes me stay home from school and babysit. I done been held back one year already. The kids call me stupid. I’m not stupid. I’m just a little behind,” Melvin Lee said, and then stared down at his plate.

Cathy’s heart hurt just looking at him. He was so little to have such a big burden.

Lon laid a hand on the little boy’s shoulder. “If you’ll let me take you home, I’ll have a talk with your Mama about school.”

Melvin Lee looked up. “You will? You’ll tell her she can’t keep me home to babysit no more?”

“Yes, I will,” Lon said.

“I reckon I’ll go on home, then,” he said.

“Not before I get a hug,” Cathy said.

The little boy sighed as he got up and went to where Cathy was sitting.

“Thank you for being my friend,” he said.

Cathy took her napkin and wiped the chili off Melvin Lee’s chin, and then off the corners of his mouth.

“It was my pleasure,” she said, but when she hugged him, she was not prepared for the surge of emotion she felt when his arms slid around her neck, or when he buried his face against her shoulder.

“You tell your Daddy I said hello, okay?” Duke said.

“Yes sir. I will next time I see him,” Melvin Lee said. “Is my bag still out on the porch?”

“Yes, it is,” Cathy said.

“I’ll be needing to take it with me,” he said, and then walked out with the police chief as if he was going to jail, and not back home.

After they were gone, Cathy got up to start clearing the table, and burst into tears, instead.

“He’s too little to feel that defeated.”

Duke groaned. “Now you’ve gone and done it. I can’t stand to see a woman cry,” he said, and put his arms around her.

“I’ll get your clothes all wet,” she sobbed.

“It’s okay. Just don’t cry, honey. Lon will get him all sorted out. You’ll see. Now will you do something for me?” Duke asked.