I waved at Alison as she walked away before turning back to Uncle Frank. He held out his arm, formally. I shifted the candy haul enough so I could link up with him for the walk home.

That act alone eased some of my concern. If he was really mad at me, and he was never mad at me, he wouldn't be so casual about it. I relaxed and sighed away some of my tension.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm glad you are, too. Did Mom tell you Sassy's ...