She was so right. Mrs. Chu welcomed them to Casa di Stella with a smile like a shark, with Josh playing the role of chum. She had tea and a spread of Chinese pastries waiting for them. They all sat around the glass-topped table in the backyard, under a gazebo dripping with wisteria. Josh couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful place it would be for traumatized teenagers. It had an otherworldly, timeworn atmosphere. Tall brick walls around the entire perimeter made it feel safe from the entire world.
Suzanne’s vision held a lot of appeal.
But first, they had to get past the shark patrolling the entrance. And the shark definitely had a nose for blood. “Who are your parents? Where do they live? Are they married?”
Josh nearly sloshed hot tea onto his lap, and returned the cup to its saucer.
