Page 107 of Old Habits

“Good, good. Will, get everyone moving into the dining room, please.”

I spin around and take advantage of the moment to retreat from the conversation. Blood rushes to my face so I take a lean against the wall until the feeling returns to my legs and my head stops throbbing.

I follow the silence back into the living room where Dad and Jovie keep Andy company.

“Dinner’s ready,” I say.

Dad stands up to walk into the dining room but he pauses for a quick moment to pat me on the shoulder as he passes by.

I look at Jovie as she wanders over to take my hand. Our fingers entwine in a subtle, loving squeeze as we both visibly exhale the air from our lungs.

There’s something you need to know about Jovie.

She gazes at me with a warm, elegant smile, one equally as heart-warming as it is bone-chilling.

Ignorance is bliss, right?