Chapter 61

“Of course not,” Charles said. “When Roger moved in here, his parents signed documents allowing Philip and me to stand in loco parentis.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You’ve studied Latin,” I said. “You tell me.”

“Can you repeat what you said, Uncle Charles?”

“In loco parentis.”

He thought about it for a minute and then said, “In the place of parents.”

“Go to the head of the class, kiddo,” I said. “You guys all watch television. How many programs have you seen involving a scenario where teenagers came to harm while the parents had no idea where they were or what they were doing?”

“Sorry, guys,” Charles said, addressing our guests. “I’m a lawyer, and I don’t believe in taking unnecessary risks.”

“I understand,” Tom said.

“So do I,” Larry said. “I wish the parents of some of our other friends were interested enough to worry about such things.”