Chapter 2
Eva's impending visit hung over the household like the pallor of smoke from a distant brushfire. Adam retreated behind a silent, distant wall of politeness, while Pippa, dear, sweet Pippa who had been even-tempered and cheerful the entire time I'd been here, began to fluctuate between manic excitement and bouts of weepiness the closer it came to Friday. Between her mood swings, and the way Adam skittered away like a nervous colt every time I got near him, it was a relief when his next scheduled business trip came and he abandoned me to deal with Friday's pre-arranged pickup.
The scent of baking muffins filled the air as I sat at the grey Formica table and poured through ancient textbook Adam's mother had used to homeschool Pippa. Grey letters spelled ADAM on the text block, and
