My dad had a big smile on his face. “Sounds like Hank. We’re making sure he’s got the best doctors, pal. I’m sure he’s going to be okay.” Then he turned back to his screen. “I’ve got a few things to do before we get called down for the big dinner that Estelle made.” He winked at me when he said “made.” We both knew Estelle didn’t cook anything.

I was about to leave the office, but I had to ask him one more thing. “Dad, did my mother cook?” I hardly ever asked questions about her because he usually got real quiet and only gave me one-word answers.

“Your mom was very different from Estelle. She was an amazing cook. I’m sorry I haven’t shared with you as much as I should, CJ, but sometimes in life you just have to move on. And so I did, and now I’m married to Estelle, and I’m happy. That’s just how it is.”

That was the most I had ever heard him talk about her, but I could tell that was all he wanted to say, so I got up to leave and said, “I get it, Dad. Bones is a lot like that, too.”

He smiled and went back to work.

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