The table went silent like things were about to get interesting, but nothing happened. When she had gathered herself, Janice lifted her chin a little, took a deep breath, and smiled at Talon. I need to go, thought Talon. I really need to go.
Ed broke the silence. He was talking with his mouth full of food again, and it made a rude smacking noise as he tried to arrange it to talk.
“He ain’t got the money to buy boots, much less decent clothes,” he said. “You’re making the man feel like a beggar.”
Well, thought Talon, at least he thinks of me as a man. Janice turned red from her blouse to the top of her forehead. She gritted her teeth and looked as if she might bust into flame any second. The table went silent, and Talon hurried to finish his food so he could leave.
Ed’s daughter Lacey s
