ALEX HURRIES INTO THE kitchen in pursuit of whatever trouble Ali’s managed to get herself into this time. He finds her glaring at Todd, who is crouched on top of the refrigerator, flicking his tail and glaring back at her. Scattered on the floor are the mixing bowls and bananas that usually live up there.
Alex folds his arms and gives Ali a Well? look.
“Alex, the cat is throwing things at me.”
“What did you do to the cat?”
“Nothing!”
“Ali.”
“I just wanted to play.” Ali sulks.
“Well, Todd is old and cranky and doesn’t always want to play,” Alex says. He starts picking up the mixing bowls, glad they’re all plastic and that they don’t keep anything breakable on the fridge.
“Like you.”
Alex snorts a laugh and shoves the bowls onto the counter. “Okay, I know adults seem ancient to you,
