Wyatt had the weirdest expression in his eyes, as if he didn’t know whether to laugh or run for the hills. Dad clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a smart man,” he said encouragingly. “Just keep a regular check on your list of transgressions so you’ll know if there are any major problems you need to handle, and you’ll be okay.”

“You promise?” Wyatt asked drily.

Dad laughed. “Hell, no. I have all I can handle; if you get in trouble, you’re on your own.”

Wyatt turned and winked at me. No, he wasn’t on his own; we were in this together.