“A commercial operation,” he chuckled.

“That is a good one.

I will have to remember that.”

“Dad, this is not a laughing matter,” I said anxiously.

“It is a little bit funny,” Dad insisted gently.

I sat down heavily on the wooden porch steps.

“He mentioned seeing your green truck leaving before sunrise every week loaded with heavy boxes.”

Dad’s hands paused briefly over the pea pods.