Beverley would not speak about the telephone call. Instead, she sent the children back to finish their dinner and when they were finished, called the twins in to help her clean up. Normally, Sharpay did not do dishes, but things had changed a lot since that fall. While that summer had definately improved her attitude, the past few months had improved her work ethic. She would help Beverley with general housework and would do her best to help with the care of Mickey and Winona.
Ryan offered to wash while Sharpay dried and soon a simple train was started. The Evans twins chose to stay silent, knowing that Beverley had something on her mind, and she had always told them things when she was ready and never before.
The silence was almost unbearable. It hung in the air, heavy and thick. Ryan felt like he was choking and one look at Sharpay showed that she was feeling the same.
She raised her eyebrows at him and jerked her head towards Beverley. Ask her, the look said. He shook his head. She repeated the action. He still shook his head.
"You two can stop having silent conversations now, if you want," said Beverley. She set a dish down in the cupboards and looked up at the twins.
Sharpay fidgeted.
Ryan coughed.
Beverley continued to wait.
"What was that phone call about?" Ryan finally asked.
Beverley sighed again, hung her head for a moment and then looked up, beckoning the twins into a hug. She wrapped her arms around them, kissed both of their heads. "Your father is out next month. He wants to see you two."