Sublime

kinship bonds is that they offer communal answers to questions

Remembering that connection brought Joan comfort. It also brought her some sense of responsibility. And what was kinship but that? Comfort and responsibility.

the people at the ranch that you call the 'family' were just people that you did not want, people that were alongside the road. Their parents kicked them out, so I did the best I could and took them on my garbage dump."' I say "exploited" because he gave them a sense of belonging and then used them for his own distorted purposes.

But everyone needs someone to turn to, and we are your family. You should get to know us. If it helps, I’m the worst of the lot—the rest are all much better than me.” Ethan approached him and extended a hand. “You’ll do well enough for me,” he said gruffly. West grinned at him. When they shook hands, it felt like a promise had been made.

The adoption of local names by immigrants has been a common strategy for fitting in for this reason.

“Actually, we decided to name our son after the man who raised the both of us,” I confirmed quietly. “Because, let’s face it, the only man I ever had to show me the way was your