“How’s it going?” He sprawled slightly as he sat down, trying to get comfortable in the narrow confines of the chair, resting his hands on the curved armrests and extending his long legs under the hospital bed. He was wearing plaster-spattered work boots and heavy jeans. Mary Beth guessed that he had come directly from his mother’s house, starting his day maybe even before sunrise, instructing the crew before he took off.

“Okay,” Bobby Joe answered vaguely. “Everyone says I’m doing good. So I guess I am.”

“And you?” Parr looked at her, his dark gaze steady and inescapable.

“Oh, about the same as yesterday.” She did her best to keep her uneasiness out of her tone. “But I would say that Bobby Joe’s more than okay. He’s been talking and talking.”

“That’s great. Glad to hear it. Anything we can do for you today?” he asked his brother, who gave him a blank look.

“Yes.” Mary Beth spoke for him. “He really wants to see Alma.”

A ringing came from Parr’s jacket pocket and he took out a smartphone. “That’s why I’m here again, actually. Your dad suggested that they video chat.” He tapped the screen and Mary Beth heard her father’s deep hello.

“I’m in the room, Howard,” Parr said. He glanced at his brother. “Bobby Joe, are you up for this?”

“All I have to do is lie here. So you could say I’m down for it. Not up.” He smiled at his own joke. “Mom? You there?”

His mother’s face filled the small screen as Parr held up the phone and pressed the icon for the video app. There was nothing for Mary Beth to do but listen. Bobby Joe took her hand again, rubbing the diamond ring absently.

“Bobby Joe. Oh Lord. It’s true. You are better.” Despite her condition, Alma was bubbling over with excitement. “I woulda called before this but Howard kept telling me to wait. Just so you know, a video chat was my idea, not his.”

“Sorry. Guess I heard wrong.” Parr chuckled. “You can take the credit, Mother. And if that app hadn’t been invented, you would have invented it.”

“Shut up. But you’re right,” she said proudly. Bobby Joe let go of Mary Beth as he struggled to sit up. She propped an extra pillow behind his back and he caught her hand again, folding her fingers around his to show off the engagement ring. Parr angled the phone downward to capture that detail. Mary Beth was uncomfortable. He didn’t have to make a movie out of the awkward situation.

Alma chattered away, then slowed down when she realized Bobby Joe wasn’t following the stream of talk too well.