“Any other secrets he’s hiding?” Her voice was as dry as August grass and about as much of a fire hazard.

“Uh…” I took far too long answering and could see the complicated calculations happening in her head.

“I see.”

“The mom gossip network doesn’t need more info for their alert.” I tried to pass it off as a joke, but she didn’t so much as smile.

“Jasper.” The way she said my name all serious and slightly disappointed had me grabbing my cards in a hurry.

“I better find someone to play with.”

“You do that. Someone new.” She drummed her fingers against the folder. This wasn’t going to be the last I heard about this topic for sure. She wanted to protect me from hurt, and hell, so did I. But I also wasn’t turning down this reprieve from a lecture, and I quickly found a patient waiting for a game. I’d seen the boy here several weeks ago, and he was back for another round of treatments and tests. He gave me a good game, slapping down cards and doing an excellent job of keeping my mind off my mom.

“Look at all these happy faces.” Ned from the hospital foundation came into the lounge right as I lost to the kid.

“How’s it going?” I asked as Ned came over to my table.

“I’ve got tickets for you for Friday night.” He took out a thick envelope and handed it to me. “Anyone need an extra ticket for a plus one?”

“Nah. I think we’re good.” That earned me a very pointed look from my mom, but whatever. There was only one person I wanted as a date, no matter how ill-advised that might be.

“We’ll be there,” Kellan added, looking up from his table as Milo and the girl also glanced our way.

“Good. We have some very big donors coming. It’s going to be such fun! Can’t wait to see all the funny costumes.” Ned laughed, all jovial and friendly, but Milo’s face turned stony at the remark. Discomfort radiated off him as he returned to his drawing.

Which turned out amazing, the little girl as a mighty superheroine, big cape and a sword and shield. But Milo still wasn’t happy as he accepted the praise from the girl’s mother and others nearby as we all got ready to go.

“He didn’t mean funny like laugh-at-people funny,” I said to Milo in a low voice as I packed up the decks.

“I know.” Milo didn’t sound too sure and didn’t meet my eyes either. “Can I go ahead and get changed?”

“Sure. We still on for pizza?”

“You know it.” He smiled but the rest of his expression stayed flat, no sparkle. “Think your mom will actually send the drawing to Chase?”