Coach Diesel looked serious. “How long has it been since you went to school?”

Michael glanced at Joshua. “A week.” Since Brewer was killed and that big bald man came into Joshua’s room. He guessed he’d be able to go back, now that Joshua had Coach and Dr. Dani to watch over him.

Coach’s lips pressed in a tight line. “So . . . no real meals all last week?”

Joshua’s eyes grew big. “Michael!”

Michael was about to look away again when Dr. Dani turned to him with a smile. “Well, you’ll eat well from now on. Send me a text with your favorite meals. I’m going to the grocery store tomorrow.”

Joshua tugged her sleeve. “And me? My favorites, too?”

“Of course.” She ruffled Joshua’s curls. “I already know you like mac-a-chee. And I’m betting you’ll like what I have for you next.” She waggled her brows. “Chocolate brownies.”

Joshua bounced in his chair. “Can I help make them?”

“Of course,” she said. “Michael, do you want to help?”

Michael shook his head. “I just like to lick the bowl.”

“Same,” Coach said, his expression relaxing again. “So . . . are you going to school on Monday?”

Michael looked at Dr. Dani. “Am I?”

She bit at her lip. “I don’t want you to fall further behind, but I also don’t want to risk reporters bothering you.”

Or the big bald man, Michael thought, grateful they hadn’t mentioned him in front of Joshua. “I can stay out a little longer. I won’t be any trouble. I promise.”

Dr. Dani’s eyes were kind. “I know you won’t. I have to go into the clinic on Monday for at least a few hours, but maybe Coach Diesel can stay here? Just in case anyone pesters you.”

“I sure will.” Coach shot him a challenging look. “Did I hear Dr. Dani mention Xbox?”

Michael grinned in spite of himself. “You did. She’s got Cuphead.”

Dr. Dani tilted her head. “That’s the cute one with cartoon cups? It looks fun.”

Michael wanted to laugh, but held it back. When he’d logged on, he’d found that she’d been playing the game last and was up to the final level, “Inkwell Hell.” She was good. But she didn’t want Coach to know.

Coach was smiling at her the way guys did when they were going to tell girls how things worked. “I’ll show you how to play.”

“I’d like that,” she said, her mismatched eyes twinkling. “Now, let’s clean up the dinner dishes so we can make brownies, because Joshua needs a bath and it’s way past both your bedtimes. Luckily we can sleep in tomorrow. Normally we eat at six thirty and bedtime would be eight for Joshua and nine thirty for you, Michael, but this whole day has been a little peculiar.”

You can say that again, Michael thought.