JULIE STOOD OUTSIDE the front door, key in hand. Things had always been awkward since the homunculus moved in and started sleeping with her mother, Eva, but apparently things were worse the more Julie reminded him of his soullessness. She peeked in through the window and saw Michael in the kitchen. Julie sighed, opened the door and stepped inside. As she did, her mother rushed up to intercept her, a large smile on her face.
“Julie, I hope you had a good day,” she said in a low voice as she pulled her aside, into the living room. She looked down at Julie and a sudden overly-calm look overtook her. “Sweetie, I want you to be kind to Michael. He’s a good man and I think you really hurt his feelings yesterday.”
Julie gave her mother a defiant look when she caught her pleading gaze and saw a
