Chapter 242: Bad Luck

Morning broke, my alarm blaring at me at the usual 6AM wakeup, though I wasn't exactly in the mood to rise and shine. Considering I'd spent the majority of the night tossing and turning and arguing with multiple people who only existed in my head-hello, straight jacket, padded room and three shots a day-it was a wonder I wasn't a walking zombie by the time I emerged, grumpy and blinking into the bright Sunday summer morning, into the foyer of Petunia's. My pug was equally quiet, though her reserved behavior shifted the moment we entered the kitchen and found Mom stirring something that smelled delicious enough to break me out of my funk. The pug waddled and wiggled her way to Mom's feet where my darling mother and partner promptly handed over a small plate with a serving of fruit and freshly cooked hamburger for the hungry pug.

"Spoiled," I muttered, helping myself to coffee.