Chapter 23

Lewis’ voice was very shaky. “Good girl, Tr-truffles!”

Dick was almost folded into himself, looking guilt-ridden, but there was nothing he could have done otherwise. Snakes were a fact of life, though Dick hadn’t seen a rattler here on the island since his high school track team days.

“Or maybe let’s not make a tunnel, or at least, not today, okay?” Dick finally got out.

“Do you have any video games?” Lewis asked in a small voice.

“‘Disneyland Daddies’, huh?” Peter murmured, stroking Ned’s hair, his heart pounding.

“What’s a gurl got to do to get a drink around here?” Ned purred shakily.

“Wait till after lunch?” Dick answered, and they all went back inside the house. “It’s too hot out there anyhow,” he added.

* * * *

Lewis settled into the living room with video games, Truffles by his side. Ned went into the bathroom, and Dick took the opportunity to take Peter aside. “We have to talk,” he said nervously