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Christ, he was a selfish bastard He had parents who adored hi arht, not steeling himself for the visit

The path to the door was lined with flowers Norarden, but theon the porch told hi else Which only brought another pang of self-reproach Since his mother’s heart attack, he’d made a point to stop by on the three days of the week that Sin was closed, but that wasn’t enough, damn it A better son would’ve showed up daily

He let himself in and kicked off his sneakers His parents’ voices drifted into the hall fro that she was strong enough to toss a salad, while his dad kept ordering her to sit her butt down

AJ had to sued with uniinable heartache, it had endured thanks to hard work and the undeniable love they felt for each other

"AJ!" Karen Walsh broke out in a delighted smile when he wandered into the room

His mother rose fro hug She was a tall woh she’d always been slender, she was considerably frailer since the heart attack Her hair, a short blond bob streaked with silver, tickled AJ’s chin as he gently hugged her back

"Hey, Mo as an ox and healthy as a horse," she declared, before glaring at AJ’s dad "It’s just too bad your father doesn’t believe me"

"Sit doeetheart," Toain, I swear I’ll go outside and rip up all the flowers I planted today"

"You wouldn’t dare"

"Trystare-off in ah, she was the first to back down With an exaggerated sigh, she sank back in her chair

"That’s what I thought" To and walked over to clap his son on the back "Right on ti while Karen chattered on about all the work AJ’s father had done in the backyard over the past week The s, and when Tom served the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots he’d prepared, AJ couldn’t hide his surprise

"Since when do youat his father

His ave us food poisoning last week"

AJ laughed "Seriously?"

"Oh yes" Another glower sailed in her husband’s direction "Which is what happens when you don’t follow my recipes like I told you to"