I would call him so many times. He would talk me out of the tree, so to speak.

He was in the military and so was his son. He has seen it from both sides, as a soldier and as a family member of a soldier.

He helped them get IDs and connect with the rest of the families. They wouldn't have known what to do without him.

I'm starting to get calls already. I was shocked when I found out. He has been the go-to man for families who had problems.

Now as they made their way through the exuberantly crowded village, Daisy understood what Westcliff had meant. It was still early evening, and already it appeared that copiously flowing wine had loosened inhibitions. People were embracing, arguing, laughing and playing. Some were laying floral wreaths at the base of the oldest oak trees, or pouring wine at the roots, or…
“Good Lord,” Daisy said, her attention caught by a perplexing sight in the distance, “what are they doing to that poor tree?”
Matthew’s hands clasped her head and firmly aimed her face in another direction. “Don’t look.”
“Was it some form of tree-worship or—”
“Let’s go watch the rope-dancers,” he said with sudden enthusiasm, guiding her to the other side of the green.

Anyone who lives in this time is concerned with grottiness.