Chapter 11

“May I join the party?” Sara asked, slipping her arm around Bernard’s waist.

“Since it’s your party, sure,” her husband told her, dropping a kiss on her temple.

“Our party and it’s beginning to wind down.”

“Already?” Ellis asked in surprise.

“Several of the young folk have kids, and in this day and age paying for a babysitter can be expensive. The single ones,” Bernard smiled wryly, “like our company but when it gets late enough they want to head out to the local bar to dance, which is fine with us. It means we’re left with people who like good conversation, as compared to the kind you find on Twitter or Facebook.”

“Does that mean you have to leave?” Ellis asked Martin.

“Not at all. Todd’s spending the night at a friend’s house. I learned long ago that’s a cheaper option than babysitters. We trade off, Todd’s friend spending the night with us when his parents want to get away for an evening.”

“And if both you and they have something planned for the same night?”