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When the bus dropped them off, Walt got a hug from Yulia, the very first one just for him. They walked back to Hollis’s so Yulia could take all the cookies she wanted back home with her, then promised to meet up Saturday morning for the winter fair.

Hollis’s ma had made grilled cheese and roasted tomato soup for dinner, and they ate it with her homemade country rolls.

“Do you want to make any cookies to sell at the winter fair?” Mrs. Brown asked. “I had some of those brownies, and they were fantastic.”

Hollis shook his head. “I want to go with Annie and Yulia this year, not sit at a booth. It’s the last year we’ll be able to just hang out there unless they come home from college in time enough for it.”

Mrs. Brown collected their plates and dropped a kiss on his crown as she headed to the sink.

“You make another few batches and me and your dad can hawk them for you,” she said. “I want you to have a bit more cash in your pocket this time of year.”

Is that all right?

Fine.

“Okay, I’ll have them done by Friday.”

“Do some with nuts.” Mrs. Brown squeezed his shoulder, then went into the living room to watch TV.

Hollis washed the dishes, even though he knew they could wait, then they went upstairs to talk.