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“I’m not disappointed in you, Vick. I’m disappointed in myself for not talking to you before now. I just wish you would have expressed yourself better.”

“I think the bread is ready,” Victor said, looking over at the oven.

I could smell the toast, so I was sure he was right.

“I’ll get it, but are you good?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir.”

“OK, get the salad dressing and toppings for your salad out.”

“OK, can Ms. Shiloh and Theo come eat with us?”

“Not tonight. I’m sure they need a little time after what happened.”

He dropped his eyes to the floor and sighed. “I want to tell her that I’m sorry.”

“I’m sure she knows. Let’s just eat and find a movie or something.”

“Ooo, can we play the game?”

“Sure, that’s cool.”

“I think I can beat you in that racing game now.”

“Hey, buddy. About what you asked me. Yes, I do love Shiloh.”

“I knew it!” he cheered.

“How did you know?”

“You said it. Plus, you always smile and kiss her a lot when she’s around.”

“And that is what love looks like?”

He shrugged. “I guess so.”

I chuckled. “Me too, Son.”

“Can her and Theo and Trey Trey come live with us?”

“You would be OK with that?”

“My mom can still come see me, right? Ms. Shiloh don’t care?”

“Of course she can. I’m never going to keep you away from your mom because of another woman. Shiloh understands that you need your mom in your life.”

“And me and Theo can share a room?” he quizzed.

“He might want to keep sharing a room with his baby brother. Either way, I have to discuss all of that with his mom first.”

“Call her.”

“Not tonight. Let’s let everything that happened tonight settle first. We will talk about this again later.”