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“How’s the job going? Are you making friends? Going out with…anyone?”
“I’ve been gone for two weeks.”
“That’s long enough to meet someone.”
“I work, and I go back to my trailer.”
“You don’t go out with the guys once in a while?”
“Well, sure. A couple of times. But meeting a woman in a bar isn’t really my thing.”
“Of course. I just hope you’re not lonely.”
“I’m fine, Wilda. I’m not there to party.”
“I know.”
“Knowing you and Caleb are happy and safe is all that matters right now.”
“We are. Caleb is doing great.”
“Tell me more about him talking. How’s that coming along?”
They talked about Caleb for a while, then went outside, and the three of them took a walk across the meadow behind the house. Several times, Wilda tried to bring up her budding relationship with Milo, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. Caleb's presence gave her an excuse not to, as well.
Milo came through the kitchen door holding a case of beer and two bags of groceries. Wilda was making lunch, and she took the bags from him. He set the beer down on the counter with a grunt.
Wilda put a hand on his arm. “It still hurts?”
“I think it’s bruised.”
“Let me see it.”
“It’s fine.”
She cocked her head, and he pulled off his T-shirt. She sucked in a breath at the bruise on the front of his left shoulder. “Milo. My goodness. That looks bad. No wonder it still hurts.”
“It was Caleb or me.”
“Well, thank you for throwing yourself in there to protect him. Let’s put some ice on it.”
“It’s really fine as long as I avoid carrying anymore cases of beer.”
She had her hand on his chest when Mathias walked into the room. He cleared his throat, and Wilda backed away from Milo.
“He um…he got hurt when he stopped Caleb from falling out of the swing.”
Milo put his shirt back on. “It’s nothing. Won’t affect me beating everyone at pool tonight.”
“Maybe you should put some ice on it.”
“I’ll, ah… yeah, maybe.”
Wilda went to the refrigerator, filled a bag with ice, and handed it to Milo. He took it and sat at the table.
Wilda busied herself at the counter for a moment, then glanced at Mathias. “I’m going to go check on Caleb.”
She left the room, and Mathias looked at Milo. “She’s been acting squirrely since I got here.”
