“Thank you.”
“I loved watching the two of you up there in those plays. Do you remember when Cary was Mr. Scrooge?”
“Of course,” Shiloh said. “He was so talented—I’m sure he still is.”
Lois laid a hand on Shiloh’s thigh. “Can I get you a Diet Pepsi, honey? Or some iced tea? Cary, get Shiloh something to drink.”
“I’m really okay,” Shiloh said.
His mom sighed and gestured toward Cary. He was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and his hair was sticking up a little. “He’s trying to get my electric bill sorted out...”
Shiloh caught Cary’s eye and mouthed,I’m sorry. She slid his wallet out of her pocket so he could see it, and shrugged.
“...but it’s Saturday,” Lois went on, shaking her head. “And they’ve got nobody answering those phones.”
“Have you tried to take care of it online?” Shiloh asked.
“She doesn’t have a computer,” Cary said. “And she’s not set up to pay online.”
“I told him they’re not gonna turn the power off when they say they will, anyway,” Lois said. “This can all wait till Monday.”
“I won’t be here Monday,” he said.
“Angel will take care of it.”
Cary rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t mean to pop in,” Shiloh said. “I should go.”
“Shiloh! You have to wait for Cary to get off the phone—you kids haven’t even had a chance to visit.”
“Cary can call me when he has time.” Shiloh set the wallet on the table next to her. “I’m so glad I got a chance to see you, Lois.” She reached out and squeezed Lois’s hand.
“Well, if you have to go so quick...”
Shiloh stood up. She looked at Cary. He was watching her. His jaw was clenched.
“Um...” Shiloh wasn’t sure whether he’d want any helpful advice from her right now—but decided to offer it up anyway. “They’ve got a customer service window. You could go pay in person.”
“On a Saturday?” he asked.
“Till noon.”
“Well, there you go,” Lois said. “You can go when Angel brings back the car.”
Cary was rubbing his temples, staring into space. He looked a million years old—he looked eighteen again.
“I could take you,” Shiloh said.
Cary looked up at her, his eyes widening.
“You don’t have to do that, honey,” Lois said. “We can wait for Angel.”
Shiloh held his gaze. “I don’t mind—if you don’t mind. I’ll have to bring my kids.”
Lois clapped her hands, smiling. “I didn’t know you had kids, Shiloh. How many?”
Shiloh smiled back. “Two.” She looked at Cary again and gently shook her head. “I don’t mind.”
