Chapter 13

As they got closer to his apartment, Michael said, “I’m going to give you my number, and I’ll need your number so I can call you later this afternoon.”

Kevin shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t have a phone.”

“You what?”

He shrugged and slouched down in the seat. “I couldn’t pay the bills.”

Michael nodded. “Okay. We stop at the store first then.”

“For what?”

“We’re getting you one of those pay-as-you-go cell phones.”

“Michael—”

“You’re not going without a phone, Kevin. How do you make calls now?”

“The drugstore down the street still has a pay phone.”

The muscle in Michael’s jaw flexed. “What happens in an emergency? Not to mention you shouldn’t be traipsing down there in the dark just to make a call. We’re getting you a phone. What kind of food do you have?”

“Um.”

“We’ll stop at the grocery store too.”

Kevin looked out the window. “You don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do. Do you still have electricity?”