The group laughed again. It was one of the long running jokes around the farm. All summer Vance would make some dig about it and I’d act like I didn’t hear him. Last weekend, he’d joined us for a late-night swim and ice cream. Peg was hounding him about something and so I finally spoke up and told him to leave my boyfriend alone. It was a done deal after that.

As the laughter died down, Pa walked over to Vance and guided him to have a seat. “Yeah, and as long as you keep being good to her and be respectful, I’ll allow it.” Pa might have said it with a smile, but it was a warning all the same.

Morty had been noticeably quiet during the testifying and so it wasn’t until he stood that most of us realized he’d been crying. A hush settled around us. The hissing of the grill and the rustling of the trees were the only sounds besides Morty’s sniffles. “I’m ashamed to say I don’t feel very thankful today. I’ve been struggling . . .” He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the collar of his wildly patterned shirt. “My parents won’t have anything to do with me. It’s like I don’t exist ever since my brother passed away. . . . I don’t get it.”

Pa stepped around the tables and allowed the weeping man to lean on him as he gave him a bear hug. “Morty, sometimes folks don’t make a lick of sense. They grieve in ways that they don’t even understand.”

Pa raised his head slightly and met my eyes. “I know it hurts, but you can’t take it personally. Just know you are God’s kid no matter what, and we are here for you.” He hushed and let the poor guy cry it out for a spell. When Morty’s tears dried up, Pa slapped him on the back and said, “Besides, this rad group here sure does care about you and likes having you around.”

Morty shook his head. “Dave, you cannot pull off saying rad. Just doesn’t fit you.” The group laughed. “Thank you for caring so much about me. I’m sorry I put a damper on our Harvest Day.”

“Nonsense. I’m cool enough to say rad and tubular and whatever else kids are saying these days.” Pa’s thick eyebrows arched distinctively. “And you got nothing to be sorry for. If you can’t open up to us when something’s buggin’ you, then who can ya?”

Morty settled in his chair, finally smiling.