“I still feel bad about it. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable in any way,” Bobby Cates said.

He had long thought of Josh Batton as his biological son.

“But then again, I am proud that you have so many fans,” he added.

Sometimes, pain and joy needed to coexist.

Josh’s smile gradually widened. “Don’t feel bad. All right, let’s eat, Dad and Mom.”

Bobby and Peggy Howards nodded simultaneously, their hands clasped as they returned to their seats to resume their meal.

Meanwhile, Annabeth Ca