Charlie smiled. "All is well. Aurous Hill is a safe place."

And with that, he introduced Yolden to his maternal grandparents, who were enthusiastic to learn that he was a classmate of Ashley's.

As the family invited Yolden to take his seat, Keith told his sons, "Be sure to make our guest feel at home—the professor was your sister's old friend, after all."

Then, turning to Yolden, he said, "Do drink more if you can, but feel free to refuse if you can't. We're not that strict with drinking arou