"Bessie really likes you. She had a great time today." In the glow of sunset, Colin Hawk gripped the steering wheel, driving down the interstate towards home, while talking to Tommy in the passenger seat.
In the back seat, Tony Leon still had cat whiskers that Bessie had drawn on his face, and he was curled up, dozing off.
Tommy turned his head to look at his father. "I don't know why, Dad, but I can't shake the feeling that you're giving me your last words. I hope it's just my imagination."
"Last words? No, not last words, I've just been having some thoughts lately... I think you should spend more time with Bessie. Even though I don't talk about your mother much since she passed, I still often remember the things she used to say." Colin Hawk's eyes grew a bit sad, his tone rueful. "You know, if your mom were still here, she'd never let me..."
