"You home, boy?" Stud asked.
Early Ann helped Peter off with his coat and chucked him under the chin.
"Trailer factory's shut down, Dad. They're losing money."
"Shut down for good?"
"Start up again the first of the year more'n likely."
"What'd you do if the 'Trailer' shut down for good?"
"Don't know, Father."
"Might you come back to the farm?"
"I might," said the boy, averting his eyes.
Four days until Christmas. The house was already decorated with holly and red bells. There were frost flowers on the window panes and the base burner glowed brightly. His mother was sitting before the stove in her favorite rocker piecing a quilt.