His mom raised her voice. “Did Eliza at the front desk see your uniform?”
“I think so.”
“We have to say hi to her before you go. Her son is in the Army.” Lois looked at Shiloh. “Their uniforms aren’t as nice.”
Cary was back with a package of cookies and another glass of iced tea for himself. He stopped to open the blinds. Shiloh hadn’t even realized how dim it was in here.
“That sun is going to heat up my rooms,” his mom complained.
Cary sat next to Shiloh on the couch. “You have air-conditioning.”
“I don’t like to use it.”
Cary frowned. “Please use it.” He got up to check the thermostat.
“Sitdown,” his mom said. “This is how he is, Shiloh.”
“I know,” Shiloh said. “He did my dishes last night.”
Lois clucked her tongue.
“How does your hip feel?” Shiloh asked. Cary sat down next to her again.
“Oh, it’s good, it’s better,” Lois said. “I go to rehab right here. Did you see Kathy down there, Cary?”
“I’m not sure.”
“She’s very pretty. Blond. She’s a physical therapist. I told her about you.”
“Mom.”
“Shiloh, tell him,” Lois said. “It’s not good to be alone.”
Shiloh turned to Cary. “It’s not good to be alone.”
Cary narrowed his eyes.
“You should be giving me grandchildren,” Lois said.
“You have plenty of grandchildren,” he said.
“None as sweet as you were, Cary.”
They ate Lois’s sugar-free cookies and drank iced tea. Lois kept thinking of things for Cary to do, and then she kept telling him to sit down.
They watched an episode ofJudge Judy.
Then Lois wanted to take Cary downstairs to meet her friends. Cary made an excuse for Shiloh, so she could stay in the room if she wanted. She did. She watched another episode ofJudge Judy.
When Cary and his mom came back, Lois looked wiped out. He helped her to her chair. “I think I’ll just make myself some dinner tonight,” she said.
“I’ll go get you something and bring it back,” Cary said.
“No. I’ll be fine.”
“If you don’t eat it, you can have it tomorrow.” He was already headed for the door.
“Cary—”
