Chapter 25

“You bet. Grampa made a campfire, and we had s’mores.”

“Hi, Jack,” Ward said.

“Hi, Ward,” Jack replied. “What did you and Daddy do?”

“We went to dinner and had ice cream.”

“What are you gonna do now?”

Ward looked over at Tyler. Tyler raised his eyebrows and grimaced, but he was smiling.

“Not sure yet. But I think we can come up with something.”

Ward winked at Tyler.

“Here’s Eddie,” Jack said. “Bye Dad, bye Ward. Eddie, Daddy and Ward are on the phone.”

“I know, you dufus,” Eddie said, not sounding too enthused.

“Hello.” Eddie’s voice was toneless.

“Hi, Ed,” both Ward and Tyler said together.

“Having a good time?” Tyler asked.

“I guess. I wish you were here, Dad.”

“I know. But remember I promised a sleepover in the tent for us later. Maybe Ward could come, too?” He smiled at Ward, who nodded.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Tyler and Ward’s smiles faded.

“We can talk about it later,” Tyler said.