Heartsong (Logan 2)

door was open. Uncle Jacob was sitting up, his back

against two large, fluffy pillows. He wore a nightshirt,

and although he didn't look as small as he had in the

hospital bed, he still looked pale and quite a bit

thinner to me. Aunt Sara was sitting at his bedside

trimming his fingernails. It looked as if she had just

brushed his hair, too. If Uncle Jacob was happy about

being home, you couldn't tell by looking at him. He

didn't smile when we appeared.

"You're sure that engine's working fine now, eh

Cary?" he asked.

"Yes, Dad. She's purring better than she was." "Doubt that," he muttered. "I always took good

care of my boat."

Cary glanced at me to see if I read a reprimand

in Uncle Jacobs remark.

"Hello, Uncle Jacob," I said, refusing to be

ignored. "I'm happy you're home."

He grunted what sounded like a thank you, but

avoided looking at me.

"You send Roy around after work tomorrow,"

he told Cary. "I want a word with him."

"Sure. You need anything? We're just going to

take a walk on the beach."

"I have a list of groceries, Cary," Aunt Sara

said. "Oh."

"Let's do that first, Cary," I suggested. "Sure. Where's the list, Ma?"

"Right beside the tea kettle. Add a five-pound

bag of sugar, please," she said. Cary nodded and we

started out.

"You have money?" Uncle Jacob called. "Yes," Cary said.