Chapter 13

“Marion is busy at the stove.” Vaughn still squirmed. “Supper will be ready soon.”

Frank was quite nervous too, not only about meeting Marion, but also with worry about how many electrical appliances she may have been using. He had never caused a power surge at work. The Helliers lived right upstairs, where he had heard Marion—or someone else—vacuuming once or twice within the same four walls. All of the electrical circuits downstairs and upstairs connected to one another, he assumed. So, he should be okay as long as he stayed out of the kitchen. Right?

“We would like you to meet our son,” Vaughn said seemingly out of nowhere.

“You have children?”

“One.” Vaughn rose and moved to the mantel for a photograph he held out to Frank. “He is very handsome, yes?”

Frank stood, but did not take the frame. It was metal. “Quite.”