Chapter 75
I had not wanted to come to this dinner, but Jackson’s parents had insisted, and I’d been in no mood to cook. So I went through the motions.
“Then it’s decided,” Mrs. Ledbetter said, taking a long drag on her vape pen and smiling at me.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” I admitted.
“Too late now. I think every boy should have a puppy. Don’t you?”
“Don’t you dare bring a dog into our apartment,” I said. “Dogs are not allowed.”
“They let youlive there,” she pointed out.
“And they let youcome to my door without a leash.”
She issued a throaty laugh.
“I think I’m beginning to like you, Wilfred. You are really very remarkable.”
“Mom, no dogs,” Jackson said firmly. “Please!”
“Why don’t we ask Bob?” she suggested, glancing at Noah.
“Stop it, Mom!”
“What could it hurt? What is the sign for ‘dog’?”
“Mom!”