Chapter 16: Terms Are Terms

Noelle's POV

"Let me see the card," my father said.

Colette held it out and did not let go of it.

It read County Family Services, with a phone number and a name I didn't know.

"I called her this morning," Colette said. "I told her my son's grandfather won't let him in the house, and his father is hiding at his in-laws'."

"I told her I'm frightened to be alone with a baby who's never met his family."

"She'll come out to see where everyone lives. Nobody has to be at fault, if I'm let in first."

Dalton's truck skidded up to the curb behind her.

He came up the walk fast, with one hand inside his jacket.

"Colette."

"Hello, Dalton." She did not turn. "We talked last night. You said you'd always look after us."

I felt that land low in my stomach.

He had told me nothing about a call.

"Dad," I said. "She wants to see him. Let her."

My father looked at me, and then at the baby.

Arlen had his fist in his mouth. His hair stood up in the back.

My father's arms came uncrossed very slowly.

"May I?" he said.

It was the gentlest thing I had ever heard him say.

Colette hesitated a half second too long. Then she passed Arlen across the threshold.

My father took him in both hands.

They were big, callused hands that had strung wire across forty miles of this county.

He held Arlen against his flannel shirt.

Arlen stared up at the stranger's face.

Then he reached up and grabbed my father's thumb.

My father looked down at the small bent thumb curled around his own.

He didn't make a sound.

His eyes went red and he turned his face to the door frame, so that the porch couldn't see.

"Hello, Arlen," he said. His voice cracked. "I'm your grandfather."

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