“You will, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Mom?” Tyler cries, his eyes darting between his mother and the gun in his father’s hand.
“What are you askingherfor?” Nick demands. “I just told you to do something. Now do it.”
“Go on, possum. Take Neptune with you. I’ll be up soon.”
“You heard your mother. Now, unless you want me to flush that goddamn fish down the toilet, I suggest you get your ass out of here.”
“Go on, boys,” Dani urges.
“And don’t worry about your mom,” Nick says. “I’m not going to shoot her.” He laughs. “Gun’s not even loaded.”
The boys take a final look at their mother, then leave the room, Ben running, Tyler more slowly, carefully cradling the bowl with Neptune against his chest.
“Well, what do you know?” Nick says, examining the gun in his hand. “I lied. Itisloaded.”
“Oh God. Nick, please…”
“Oh, don’t go getting your panties all in a knot. I meant what I said. I’m not going to shoot you. Not till I figure out a way to dispose of your body without getting caught, that is.” He laughs. “I’m joking,” he says, although his eyes say otherwise. “Besides, right now, I’m kind of turned on. It seems I’ve got all this excess energy you’re going to help me take care of. Aren’t you,darlin’?”
“Sure, Nick. Whatever you want.”
“That’s my girl.” He walks toward the den, the gun dangling carelessly from his fingers. “I’ll just put this baby away and be right with you. Now get upstairs and make yourself pretty for your husband.”