After getting home from eating spicy hot pot, Renee Jennings received a call from Sylvia Brooks.
She rose and walked out to the garden, answering the phone. "Summer."
On the other end of the line, Sylvia Brooks's voice was soft. "Renee, have you eaten?"
"I just got back from having spicy hot pot," Renee said with a laugh. "You?"
Sylvia Brooks said, "I just got home from dinner too. I actually wanted to ask you... about this afternoon at the coffee shop, when you were communicating with Kitty... Why didn't you tell Phoebe?"
"I had a feeling you'd ask." Renee chuckled, but then her tone grew more serious. "Summer, there's nothing wrong with Phoebe's mother's health. It's just that the situation is very serious, and I don't think Phoebe should find out this way."
Hearing this, Sylvia Brooks was silent for two seconds before saying, "Okay, I understand."
She didn't press Renee for details about what she'd heard, and they ended the call after a few more pleasantries.
