Of everything to be missed he missed Waffle Wednesday the most. Since before he could even attempt to remember David would awaken each Wednesday to the scent of the frying batter. Father would lecture him about the amount of maple syrup he was wasting and mother never seemed to sit down, always back and forth from the kitchen to table, getting this and that. While his sister ate in silence, often with a book open reading.
Even after father died and sadness came for them all Waffle Wednesday went on, never stopping, never changing. In secret that was a reason he insisted that Ida come with him to Cutter Gap, she had watched mother making the waffles, knowing the unique touches to make them not just waffles but his waffles. He hadn't counted on nearly bear cupboards and only the most initial ingredients.
He never complained, not once.