"Go wash up so I can feed you." Miss Gloria directed. "Y'all kids get down off'n him and let your brother get cleaned up."

She sounded gruff but there was a merry twinkle in her eyes. Scotty leaned in and kissed her cheek once again.

"Yes ma'am."

The house smelled amazing, like Thanksgiving Day. Scotty was starving and wondered if he would always feel like there was an empty hollow in the pit of his stomach waiting to be filled.

His brother EJ made to ...