1970

Dad finishes his little  speech and his followers jump up, full of chatter.  They love the guy.

I watch Josey.  She is seeing her grandfather for the first time.  She stares.  I wonder what she sees.  I try to look with fresh eyes, but I see the same thing.  A man so used to intimidating people that he long ago stopped trying.

The great man raises his hand and everyone gets quiet.

“There is one more story I want to share with you.  It’s an old story, perhaps a familiar one.  About a father who lost his son.  A son who traveled to foreign lands and became lost.”

Across the room, his piercing eyes lock on mine.

“This is a story I’ve never told, because until now it didn’t have an ending.  But now it does.  The prodigal son has returned.  My own son, Lucas James Junior!”

A spotlight swings our way and the entire room turns as one to look at us.  Josey blinks in the harsh light.

The Story So Far