napkin　into　her　lap。　“Maybe　it's　about　time　I　found　out。”

Lyta　turns　to　me　and　says；　“She's　inviting　the　core　of　Piss　Poor　over　for　dinner　—　oh；　this

is　something　I　really　woke　up　expecting！”

My　father　shakes　his　head　and　says；　“Patsy；　what　purpose　does　this　serve？　So　I　made　some

stupid　cracks　last　night。　Is　this　the　next　phase　in　my

punishment？”

“It　is　something　we　should　have　done　years　ago。”

“Patsy；　please。　I　know　you　feel　bad　about　what　you　found　out；　but　an　awkward　dinner　party

isn't　going　to　change　anything！”

My　mother　ran　syrup　all　over　her　pancakes；　popped　the　top　closed；　licked　her　finger；　then

locked　eyes　with　my　dad。　“We　are　having　the　Bakers

over　for　dinner。”

And　that；　she　didn't　have　to　tell　him；　was　that。

Dad　took　a　deep　breath；　then　sighed　and　said；　“Whatever　you　want；　Patsy。　Just　don't　say　I

didn't　warn　you。”　He　took　a　bite　of　hash　browns　and

mumbled；　“A　barbecue；　I　suppose？”

“No；　Rick。　A　sit…down　dinner。　Like　we　have　when　your　clients　e　over。”

He　stopped　chewing。　“You're　expecting　them　to　dress　up？”

Mom　glared　at　him。　“What　I'm　expecting　is　for　you　to　behave　like　the　gentleman　I　always

thought　you　were。”

Dad　went　back　to　his　potatoes。　Definitely　safer　than　arguing　with　Mom。

Lyta　wound　up　eating　the　entire　white　of　a　fried　egg　and　almost　a　whole　pancake　besides。

Plain；　of　course；　but　from　the　way　she　was　glu