Dawnlark Plains couldn't get no silver, couldn't get no gold

A smile came to his face at Sunny's joy; it appeared as though the boy held no grudge against him. Instead, his nephew looked, to his astonishment, slightly guilty, and his ears swiveled in confusion, but he left it for later. "Hey, Sunny," Shale said warmly, nudging his shoulder in an affectionate gesture of greeting. "Good to have you back with us." He nodded down at the fish. "Nice catch," he added. A little flattery never hurt, right?

Without much fanfare, he continued. "I want to apologize for the way I acted after your father died," he said, his voice grave. "Grief overcame me, but it was stupid and selfish of me to go off like that. I hope I can earn your forgiveness." He took a deep breath that stretched his ribs, letting it out in a long sigh, staring anxiously at Sunny as he awaited his response.