Behind her, two big guys stepped closer so they were on either side of Jan and looking at him with a certain menace in their demeanor, as though they would gladly break him in two.
“A picker,” said one of them. “A dirty one, too. What are you doing here, at this wake, bringing your filth into our house?”
Eric made sure his next words were modulated and low in volume. “I was just explaining,” he said, “that I was bringing—with respect—a pie for the wake. From Morgan.”
They all three studied him with an expression of disbelief on their faces. “Morgan sent you?” said Jan.
“It’s complicated,” said Eric.
“You said that already,” she said.
Eric felt his face get even hotter.
“Wait here,” said Jan, and ducked back between the two men and ran into the living room.
Eric’s mouth went dry and
