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Grady remained silent. He nudged a pinecone with his foot. "Remember when Gramps came to visit us before Mom and Dad died?"
At Kaleb's nod, Grady continued, "We walked around here for hours. Gramps kept kicking the pinecones, telling us not to kick thepinecorns."
"Scarlet couldn't say pinecone. Gramps thought that was the funniest thing." Kaleb's lips twitched.
"He couldn't figure out for the life of him why we weren't enjoying his fun in kicking them." Grady chuckled. "Little did he know we'd listened when he told us not to do something. Mom was so proud of us for obeying."
"Taught him a lesson, too." Kaleb joined Grady down memory lane. "From that moment on, he told us what he wanted us to do."
"The choices you made back then may not have been the best, but they helped mold and shape you into the man you are today." Grady bent over and grabbed the pinecone. "This pinecone is broken, but it doesn't make it any less beautiful or any less productive."
"What do you mean?"
"Pinecorns," Grady tossed him a grin, "are for protecting the developing seeds so that it can disperse them."
"Okay," Kaleb drew out the word. "I get you're trying to make a point, but I don't see it."
Grady rolled his eyes. "For being the oldest, I sure do have to spell a lot out for you." He tossed the pinecone on the ground. "We had a life changing accident in our family. It broke all of us. You felt like you had to protect us, so you threw yourself into that role, not accepting help from those who loved you, including me and Scarlet."
"Hm."
"You are like that pinecone. Broken, yet still protecting until it's time to let us go." Grady stopped and faced Kaleb. "You don't have to protect us anymore. Never had to, to begin with. And yet, now, you can let Scarlet go and start your own life."
"Scarlet might be okay now, but what about you?"
Grady made a face. "What about me? I'm twenty-nine years old, Kaleb. If I don't know how to adult by now, I've got serious issues."
"You don't need me?" Kaleb tried to keep the hurt in his chest from his voice.
"I'll always need you. Not as a father figure, though. As a brother, a best friend." Grady turned back toward the house. "And Scarlet? She has a new man in her life. One who will take the role of protector, provider, and other things I don’t want to think about sinceshe’smy sister."
Kaleb threw his head back and laughed. "I thank you for that." He sobered. "You're pretty wise for someone your age."
Grady clapped Kaleb on the shoulder. "I'll try not to let that go to my head."
"Mighty hard since you have such a big head already."
Grady's hand flew to his chest. He gave a mock gasp. "That hurts. You know I don't have a big head. Only a five-finger forehead."
Kaleb laughed again. "You know what I like about you?"
"Other than my good looks?" Grady wiggled his eyebrows.
"Oh brother." Kaleb shook his head. "No. You and I both know you don't hold a candle to me. Seriously, though, I admire your wisdom and your sense of humor."
"Listen, I've learned from you, Dad, and Mom how to be wise." Grady stopped once more. "I’ve had a lot of good examples of Godly people in my life. It's what keeps me going in difficult times."
"You've had tough times outside of Mom and Dad's death?"
"We all have. Some of us carry it closer to our hearts than others." Grady motioned with his head toward the house. "Take Scarlet, for example. We always knew when she struggled. She didn't hide it from us. The two of us," he pointed between them, "we hold our cards closer. It's easier than admitting we're struggling."
Kaleb hung his head. "I'm sorry, man. I should've been there for you, noticed when you were having a hard time."
"It's not your job to fix me. That's the job of the Holy Spirit." Grady rubbed his hands together. "Now, let's discuss you and Cinnamon."
Kaleb narrowed his eyes. "What about me and Cinnamon?"
Grady crossed his arms. "Really? You're going to play that game?"
