"You just- arrived- like this- and then you didn't go back again?" he asked for clarification, even thought he was sure that was what she was saying. "Why don't you want to go- because of- him?" he asked, not wanting to say me, because it wasn't.
"And and and a BIG pancake with the maple!" Charlie's little voice rang out, as the door opened and the older Hemingway entered with the toddler still in his arms, shoeless.
The older and younger looked at each other, and there was a pause of shock and surprise, different for each of them but felt just as deeply.
"Hi mama," Charlie waved as Hem carefully let him down.