A Visit Home

Dad was there the moment I got off the bike.

"Where's your phone?"

I pulled the long dead device from my saddlebags. Dad handed it to Derrick, motioning toward the house.

I never made it to the house. Dad grabbed me in a wrestling move before I got halfway there. It ticked me off. I wanted to sleep in my own bed, not fight on the front lawn with people watching.

At least it didn't develop into a fight. The wrestling hold turned into a big hug. Dad kept telling me I wasn't supposed to be stupid. I didn't think he was going to let go for a second.

I hugged him back. I was looking forward to telling Dad my story, at least the part with the wolves and how I rescued the kids from the fire. I knew the story of the elders around the fire was something Grandfather would understand.

Dad and I were still holding each other around the shoulders when we turned toward the house. Mahina was standing in the doorway with Derrick. I looked at Dad.

"I wasn't the only one worried. Derrick had called, sa