I Hraet You (54)

Beat 54: Good Communication Begets Good Relationships (In Theory)

The light bulb swayed left and right above the table. If not for the afternoon sun and the half-exposed windows, it would have been the only thing keeping the kitchen alight. Trixie sat at the edge of her seat, legs shoved together and clutching Mrs. Overdose’s shotgun; just the sight of it made her uneasy, and the fact that she held such a deadly instrument (and in the presence of the trouble-magnetic Hoigleheimers) made her want to bury her head in the sand. So she ran her eyes over the magnets on the fridge. She counted their number over and over, hoping that strange circumstances wouldn’t lead to a misfire.

All three Hoigleheimers sat at the table, with Mrs. Overdose leaning callously against the far wall -- and she’d have to get past Patton if she wanted to escape just the kitchen, much less the entire house. JP leaned back in his chair, hands tucked behind his head and eyes closed as if trying to doze off. Patton rested his meaty elbows on the table, resting his chin behind his hands and groaning ever louder. Lloyd sat in place with his arms folded, and one leg crossed over the other. Trixie could only see him from behind, but she caught glimpses of his hand tightening round his arm.

She glanced aside for a moment. Why does this scene feel so familiar?