“But, Shane,” Josh whispered back. “I thought you said they couldn’t get into the fort.”
“Well, mostly they can’t. But sometimes wild animals can surprise you, you know?”
“Ah. Well, I guess we’ll have to be quiet then.”
“Yes.” Shane put a finger to his lips. “Shh. We have to be very, very quiet. And those wild animals will leave us alone.”
Five minutes later, Lenore stuck her head in. “Carrot sticks, cheese cubes and juice boxes, anyone?”
“Shh!” Shane warned. “We’re hiding from the wild animals, and we have to be quiet.”
Playing along, Lenore widened her eyes and whisper-shouted, “Sorry. Want snacks?”
“Yes, please,” Shane replied.
Lenore joined them in the tent where they crunched on carrot sticks and spoke in hushed voices. Josh got a kick out of Shane, who talked nonstop—but quietly, in order to fool the wild animals as he made up rules for life in his fort.
Shane was a happy kid. He got along with just about everyone and rarely acted out.
And Lenore deserved a lot of credit for their son’s sunny attitude, his even-tempered approach to life. Lenore was a good mom, plain and simple. Josh made a mental note to remember his ex’s admirable qualities the next time she decided that faking an emergency was an acceptable way to get him over here.
After an hour of “playing fort,” as Shane called it, they crawled from the tent, and Shane yawned hugely.
“Looks like it’s time for bed,” said Josh.
Lenore instructed, “Put on your PJ’s, and we’ll brush your teeth.”
Shane trotted off down the hall leaving Josh and Lenore standing there by the wild-animal-proof tent.
“I’ll just check that breaker now,” he said.
She flashed him a bright, determined smile. “I’ve been thinking. You were right. It’s not that big of a deal. I’ll just put more wood on the fire to keep things cozy and deal with the breaker box in the morning.”
He kept his expression neutral as he shook his head. “I’m here. I might as well check it out before I go.”
“Uh… Well, great. Thanks.” Her cheeks were hot pink, and she didn’t quite meet his eyes. Busted. No doubt about it. “Go on,” she said sulkily. “Do what you need to do.”
Taking the lantern from its spot by the tent, he went through the shadowed kitchen to the laundry room where a door led into the garage. He left that door open so he could see when the lights came on inside the house.
The breaker box was right there on the garage wall beside the laundry room door. He pulled open the box door. Every breaker was flipped. He flipped them all back.
The garage light popped on, and a sudden glow from the kitchen spilled through the door to the laundry room as the refrigerator hummed to life. For a moment, he stood there in front of the open box, feeling annoyed at his ex-wife and resentful that he’d missed a night with Riley.
At the same time, he couldn’t completely regret how things had worked out. He’d loved hanging with Shane in his fort. For a moment, he considered just letting his frustration with Lenore go.
But no. He had to confront her. Maybe this time he would get through to her.
“Oh, Josh…” Lenore stood in the open doorway to the laundry room, looking so very grateful. “I’m not going to need a new breaker thingy, after all. Am I? Oh, Josh. Thank you so much!” She came toward him. When she stood right in front of him, she slid her arms around his neck.
“Don’t,” he said. She let go, and he stepped back. “Once Shane’s in bed, we need to talk.”
She shrugged. “Of course. Whatever you say.”
Half an hour later, with Shane tucked in for the night,Josh and Lenore faced each other across the kitchen peninsula.
He got straight to the point. “Lenore, you have to stop. I’m happy to help whenever you really need a hand. But turning off the power and then calling me to check the breaker… It’s not right, and you know it.”
Her lower lip was quivering. “Just you try to tell me you didn’t enjoy yourself tonight.”
