I didn't exactly fulfill my promise to talk every day, but I did text both Billy and Tim every day. Typically, nothing major, just a quick "hi" or "how are you?" The responses were equally brief, but the wheels of effort were starting to turn. Likewise, I found myself lying awake at night, worrying about Billy.

"Hey, Lil," Billy sounded more tired with each call.

"Hey, are you home yet?" I tried to toe the line between enthusiasm and annoyance.

"Yeah, I got in a couple of days ago. Sorry, I didn't call," his voice was absent.

"No worries, I'm sure you are just catching up with the fam and Ella."

"Mmhmm," there was a tightness to his response.

"Are you mad at me?" My mind whirled. Was this when he realized he was a rock star and I was just some girl he used to know?

"What? No, I'm sorry, Lil. It's just been a weird couple of days." His words came with a heavy sigh.

"Want to talk about it?" I just wanted to help; I wanted him happy.

"I don't know; it's Ella stuff. Is that weird?"

I could sense that he was about to burst but was trying desperately to keep everything bottled up within his head.

"No, it's not weird." Yes, it was. It was weird, but I'd never not help him. "What's up?"

"She bailed." There was a rush to the two words.

"Bailed like..."

"She had to work, so she can't make it out to Duluth," he explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Billy. I know you were looking forward to it. Can you go to visit her?"

"There's no point. She's shooting. I'd never see her."

He wasn't looking to problem solve; he was looking to wallow. I let his words linger in silence.

"Silver lining," he added, "I get what you were saying now. It's not her fault; she can't control her schedule. I can't be mad at her. So, I'm just stuck being frustrated at the situation."

"I'm sorry, Billy." I offered again, not knowing what else to say. "I could come and visit."

"What?" There was an immediateness to his response, and I could sense he shot up from his slump.

"I mean if you want. I know you had planned to come here, but I could come out there for a few days instead," I offered.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. I know you need to save up for the school year." There was a fading in his hope.

"I've been saving a lot, mostly because I'm a shut-in otherwise. I can take a few days off."

I hadn't taken any time off all summer. There had been no reason to; what was I going to do, sit around my sweltering apartment? The air-conditioned supermarket was more comfortable, and they paid me to be there.

"I want to pay for your flights." His voice was stern, leaving no room for debate.

"Agreed."

"When can you come?" His words came quickly as he no longer masked his excitement.

"Um, well, I have shifts today and tomorrow. I can see if anyone can pick up my time beyond that. I'll give you a call when I know."

My mind whirled to unloading the next few days. I always had Fridays and Saturdays off, so I only had to find coverage for my Wednesday and Thursday shifts for a long weekend. It was Monday; usually, people were quick to snap up extra hours with a day's notice.

"You've made my day, Lil. I can't wait to see you." His eagerness struck me.

"It won't be weird, you know, with you and Ella?" I tentatively asked.

"No, you and I are friends. But I'll give her a call and let her know. She'll be cool. She's not the jealous type." He was absently speaking, and I had a suspicion that he was already looking at flights.

Of course, Ella wasn't the jealous type. Why would a TV star be jealous of me? It was ridiculous. "I'm excited to see Tim and Tess. And your mom. Does she like her new house?"

Billy let out a laugh. "Not at all. She doesn't like the size, and it's right on Pine Lake, which most people would kill for, but she says it's always cold. Honestly, I think she likes it but doesn't want to admit it. I'm looking at buying a second house near her for myself."

"Why wouldn't you just stay with her?" It seemed silly to have two massive houses so close together.

"Lil, I'm 27 years old; I don't want to be that guy still living with his mom." The breeze of a laugh washed over the receiver.

"It's not like you're living in her basement; it's your house. I just figured with you traveling so much, you'd want to spend time with her when you're home."

"I do, but with the option for some space. I'm undeniably a proud momma's boy, but some separation is needed. While you're here, you can take a look at some places and give me your opinion."

"Sounds like a plan, but I'm not really into gold mines, oil wells, shipping, and real estate," I teased.

"And let me guess, newspapers intrigue you?" Billy let out a chuckle.

"You know me too well, Mr. Collins."

"That's Mr. Thatcher to you." He let out a sigh as the bit fell off. "What are you into right now, Lil?"

"Into?" I questioned.

"Yeah, you always have something interesting bubbling. What's it right now, the history of the world through cod? It's got to be something." Jest filled his voice, causing my face to redden at his accuracy. "Oh, the pause of me being right. Come on, Lil; what is it?"

"Well, there is a knickknack store that just added a penny pincher," I began.

"Penny pincher?"

"Yeah, you know. You put a penny in and a couple of quarters, turn the crank, and it flattens the penny while imprinting something on it like a lobster or black bear."

"Oh yeah, I think they had one of those at the zoo when I was a kid." Billy's voice was easy as he relaxed into our conversation.

"Well, I happen to love penny pinchers. Anyway, I got my pennies pinched and then went to work. While there, I noticed those trinket machines that you put money into, and they spit out a bracelet, rubber ball, candy, or something. And that got me thinking about coin-operated machines as a whole."

"Coin-operated machines; you led me right to the river, and I was still surprised I got wet," he let out his throaty gruff laugh that rattled my eardrum. "Tell me more," he prodded.

"Well, the first coin-operated machine was invented by a hero, Hero of Alexandria, to be exact," I joked.

"Nope, bad pun; you lose 10-points," Billy noted.

"Aw, come on; that was great!" I argued back.

"The judge has spoken. That was so bad even Tim wouldn't have said it."

"Oh, that is just a low blow. Anyway," I continued, "people were getting a little fast and loose with the Holy Water, so Hero built a coin-operated machine that would dispense it in reasonable quantities."

"You never disappoint, Lil." I could tell that Billy's dimples were on full display.

"I live to serve," I shot back. "And to work, I'm going to be late. I'll call you to let you know if I find coverage."

"Hey!" Billy caught me just before I disconnected.

"Sorry, yeah?"

"Thanks for pulling me from my rut," his voice was tender. "I love you, Lil."

"I love you too, Billy. Hopefully, I'll be seeing you soon!"