snags it away from me。 “You are going to wait; young man;” she says。 “This family is going to
have Sunday breakfast together。”
“But Im starving!”
“So are the rest of us。 Now go! Im making pancakes; and youre taking a shower。 Go!”
Like a showers going to prevent imminent starvation。
But I headed down to the bathroom; and on my way I noticed that the family room was empty。
The quilt was folded and back on the armrest; the
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pillow was gone…it was like Id imagined the whole thing。
At breakfast my father didnt look like hed spent the night on the couch。 No bags under his
eyes; no whiskers on his chin。 He was decked out in
tennis shorts and a lavender polo shirt; and his hair was all blown dry like it was a workday。
Personally I thought the shirt looked kind of girly; but my
mom said; “You look very nice this morning; Rick。”
My father just eyed her suspiciously。
Then my grandfather came in; saying; “Patsy; the house smells wonderful! Good morning;
Rick。 Hi there; Bryce;” and winked at me as he sat
down and put his napkin in his lap。
“Lyn…et…ta!” my mother sang out。 “Break…fast!”
My sister appeared in a triple…X miniskirt and platform shoes; with eyes that were definitely of
the raccoon variety。 My mother gasped; but then
took a deep breath and said; “Good morning; honey。 Youre… youre …I thought you were
going to church this morning with your friends。”
“I am。” Lyta scowled and sat down。
Mom brought pancakes; fried eggs; and hash browns to the table。 My father just sat there
stiff as a board for a minute; but finally he shook out his
napkin and tucked it into his collar。
“Well;” my mother said as she sat down; “I have e up with a solution to our situation。”
“Here it es …;” my father muttered; but my mother gave him a glare that shut him down
cold。
“The solution is …;” my mom said as she served herself some pancakes; “… were going to
invite the Bakers over for dinner。”
My father blurts out; “What?”; Lyta asks; “All of them?”; I put in; “Are you serious?”; but
my grandfather heaps on another fried egg and says;
“That; Patsy; is a marvelous idea。”