Page 5 of Unforgotten

“I’m starving. Want to get something to eat?”

“I could eat. What are you hungry for?” He grinned. The kid was always hungry.

“There’s a food truck with tacos.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.”

The food trucks were off to the side, just before the carnival games and the tent housing all the food and handcraft contest entries. “What have you been doing?”

“Hanging out with the guys.”

“Where are they?”

“Able had to go home with his family, and Cade and Zack are hanging out with girls.”

Tommy’s disparaging tone made Jay chuckle. “You didn’t want to hang out with the girls too?”

“Nah. I’m not ready for that. Guess what they’re making Cade and Zack do?”

“No idea.”

“Pet the baby animals.” He grunted. “Like Zack don’t have a ton of them on his own farm.”

Jay knew that didn’t matter. “Sorry, but I’m afraid that kind of thing goes with the territory. Girls like baby animals. Most folks do, come to think of it.”

“Whatev. Cade’s only doing it because he thinks Mary might kiss him.”

“Whoa.” Jay looked at him.

Tommy shook his head. “Right?”

“How old is Cade?”

“Thirteen, but he has three older brothers.” He lowered his voice. “He knows things.”

Good grief. “Ah. That explains it.”

“I guess.” Tommy kicked a plastic bottle cap that someone had thrown on the ground.

Jay picked it up and tossed it in the nearest trash can.“Don’t be too hard on your buddies. You’ll be hanging out with all the pretty girls before you know it.”

Tommy shrugged. “Maybe not.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that maybe I’ll be like you.”

“Still not following, Tom.”

“Well ... I know you don’t chase anyone.”

“I’m a little old to be chasing women, kid. Besides, it’s not good manners. Ladies don’t take kindly to being chased.”

“You know what I mean.” He waved a hand. “Mamm said you’re a late bloomer.”

Jay’s feet slowed to a stop. “Our mother said what?”

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m just repeating her words.”

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