“Pfft,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “That’s what I get for being modern. And look at you, laughing at me. I’m talking about your safety, your life, and you tease me.”
“I’m not laughing, Dad, and I appreciate your concern. But please, don’t worry about me. You need to relax and heal so you can bother Momma in the kitchen.”
“Chrissy,” her mother objected. ‘Bother Momma in the kitchen’ was the euphemism she and Gloria came up with as teenagers with to describe their parents’ bedroom activities.
“And why not? You ‘re both young yet. You should enjoy yourselves. You should travel. Gloria and I don’t need constant supervision.”
“Maybe you don’t, but your sister does,” her father said.
“Vince!”
“Rosalina Marie Serafini, do not talk to me that way.”
“Dad, Mom, please don’t fight. Dad, I appreciate your concern. If I had a daughter who flew around the world with a man I hadn't met I’d worry, too. But where did Grandpa get his information? He couldn’t be more wrong. And really, if investigating James Pearson is what he’s doing instead of being here with his only son, then I don’t know what to think of him.”
“Christina Marie Serafini,” her mother scolded.
“Geez,” another voice said from the doorway. Gloria bopped in with a big grin on her face. “There’s an awful lot of slinging three names around here.”
“Eavesdropper!” Chrissy accused.
“Totally guilty,” she said. Gloria swept down and gave their mother a kiss and then leaned over the rails of the bed and kissed their father on the cheek.
“I also brought guilty pleasures,” she said, holding up a bag. “Donuts from that bakery you like, Dad.”
“Gloria,” her mother fussed. “You know your father isn’t supposed to have those. The doctor said—”
“The doctor says a lot of things, but if he eats like he tells other people to do, no wonder he has such a sour expression on his face.”
&nbs
p; “You’re a good girl,” her father said, causing Chrissy and her mother’s eyes to roll simultaneously. “Just put the bag on the tray. I’ll eat it later.”
“Your father’s appetite has been off,” their mother explained.
“Well, he’s just had surgery,” Chrissy offered. “That’s natural.”
“Nonsense,” Gloria said. “You should eat.”
“Daughter,” he rumbled. “I love you, but don’t stick your nose in my business. I’d like to get some rest now.”
“Sure, Dad,” Gloria soothed. “Come on, Chrissy. Let’s get some sister time in. You won’t be in town that long.”
Gloria hooked her arm in Chrissy's as they left the hospital room. She was awfully chummy, which meant she was up to no good.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
One jelly packet down.
Saks thought about the other jelly packets as Luke drove back to the shop.
“Luke, what are the odds that your uncle is the one who sent those guys?”
Luke shook his head, and Saks wasn’t sure if that was a “no way,” or his sad recognition that his uncle was capable of anything,
“I would think that,” Luke said, “except he has this habit of showing up when he pulls his bullshit. It’s like he can’t avoid watching the show.”
“That’s true. But he’s stayed away before.”