Michael looked to see Coach’s big body filling the doorway. I want to be that big someday. Then no one could hurt him. Ever again.

“I smell food.” Coach rubbed Joshua’s head affectionately. “Is it good?”

Joshua nodded. “Mr. Troy is a good cook.”

Troy winced. “Not really, but I’m learning.”

“You made the cookies,” Michael remembered. “Faith told us. They were good.”

Troy’s eyes widened when Joshua voiced his words. “Were? They’re all gone?”

Michael shrugged. “Not all. Most.”

“But I made three dozen cookies.”

“It was a rough night,” Coach said, signing for himself.

Troy’s nod was understanding. “Yeah, I guess it was.”

“What are we gonna do today?” Joshua asked.

“Not much,” Coach told him. “You guys are kind of stuck here for a little while.”

“Because Dr. Dani’s house caught on fire,” Michael said.

Joshua’s nose wrinkled. “From the firecrackers. I remember. I smelled it. But Mr. Deacon put it out. He’s like a superhero.”

Coach laughed. “Don’t tell him. His ego will get big.”

Troy pointed to his plate. “Eat,” he signed clumsily, then shivered dramatically.

“He means it’ll get cold,” Joshua signed.

Michael chuckled. “I got that.” As he started to eat, Coach’s face changed, getting that soft look that he got every time Dr. Dani came around. Sure enough, Michael smelled chocolate seconds before Dani took the seat next to him.

She and Coach shared a look, but it wasn’t a happy one. Michael pushed his plate away. Had they had a fight? Were they breaking up? Were they even together?

But Coach put out his hand and Dr. Dani took it, squeezing hard. Troy seemed to know what was going on, because he excused himself and left the room.

Coach held out his arm to Joshua, who’d also felt the change in mood. Joshua’s sunny smile was gone as he climbed into Coach’s lap.

Dr. Dani straightened in her seat and gave Coach’s hand another squeeze before signing to Michael. “I have news for you both. It’s about your mother.”

Michael recoiled, pressing back in his chair. “Did she get out of jail? Is she . . .” He had to fight to breathe. “Is she coming for Joshua?”

Dr. Dani shook her head. “I . . .” She looked at Coach helplessly, then back at Michael. “She’s dead.”

Michael frowned. “What?” He didn’t understand. Except that he did.

Joshua’s face had grown pale and he was trembling in Coach’s arms. Joshua did understand, Michael thought, and he wished to God that he didn’t.

“Was it the drugs?” Michael asked, feeling suddenly very calm. And cold.

Dani shook her head again. “No, honey. She was killed. Someone broke into her house and killed her.”

Michael’s mouth fell open. Oh God. “Him. Scott King.”