Chapter 279: Boys Club

I made it to the kitchen, hands clutching at the box in my arms so tightly my fingers were cramping by the time I set it on the counter. Petunia seemed to notice my anxiety, her squish face turned up toward me, black triangle ears perked. I bent and scratched her ruff for a moment, catching my breath that had nothing to do with the easy walk from the front door to the large, stainless steel countered space while Mom spoke.

"This will do fine, Dan," she said, all brusque and businesslike. I stood again, forced myself to look around, admiring the log motif paired with the uber modern feel of metal and white tile. "We'll get started right away. What time are the guests arriving?"

He leaned against the counter, hands in his pockets while I helped Mom sort out the contents of her boxes. "Any time now," he said. "Eddie was giving them a tour of Reading for the morning."