Melanie is in Nome so Charlie takes me to see Dan Hicks and his hot licks

Charlie called this afternoon. He had tickets to see Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks at Vagabond Blues in Palmer he had bought for himself and Melanie. Melanie is doing a complicated job in Nome and hasn't come back yet. So he asked if I wanted to go in her place. I feel kind of bad about taking my daughter's ticket, but she couldn't use it. So here I am earlier this evening with Charlie at Vagabond Blues waiting to see Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, who had come all the way from San Francisco, California.

Reluctant departure, part five – final: they depart

I heard his mother speak the words, "lemonade," and "circle store," and then Kalib voluntarily went out the door and to the car. Jobe then emerged from some dark corner of the kitchen and followed. That's Jobe, in front of the headlight. If you look closely to his right you will see his patient mother in the shadows.

Reluctant departure, part four: his grandmother's arms

Finally, Kalib was persuaded to get up from the bed and head for the door. Just before he reached it, he spotted his grandmother and detoured into her arms. If everyone could see how much he loved her and wanted to stay with her, then surely he would be granted one more night in her house.

Reluctant departure, part three: sleep becomes a tactic

Kalib got up, but instead of turning towards the outside side door he headed toward grandma and grandpa's room and climbed into the big bed. "I need to get a rest," he said again. He pulled the blanket up and then fell to sleep in an instant! Surely, no one could demand a sleeping boy to get up, leave his grandma and grandpa's house and go to Anchorage.

Reluctant departure, part two: first persuasion does not work

This did not work. Their dad turned on the light and came in. "We've got to go home to the blue house boys," he said. Jobe ran off and disappeared. Kalib sat down on the floor and held his ground. No," he insisted "I want to stay at grandma and grandpas!" His dad put his hand on his shoulder and tried to convince him. Soon, Kalib decided he was tired. "I need to get some rest," he insisted.