I need your help I continued.
I already gave you your allowance, my mother said, gluing a border on a photograph.
I dont need money.
Im not signing a note asking for you to be dismissed early because you want to watch Dark Shadows. I told you to DVR it.
Mom. This is way important.
Are you suspended? she asked.
No.
Expelled?
I shook my head.
Arrested?
I folded my arms in disgust. Are you finished?
Im all ears, my mom said.
Alexander needs some new furniture for the Mansion.
HmmI suppose you want something Victorian? You never know what you might find at a yard sale.
We dont have time to wait for the weekend.
How about Annies Antiques?
No, were doing a makeover. We need to make the Mansion look like our home. Or the neighbors. Or the Mitchells.
My dad came out of his TV coma. Whats going on?
Raven needs some tips on making the Mansion appear morenormal. She wants it to look more like our home.
My father was confused. Our home? But we dont have bats.
Or spiderwebs, my mom said.
Or creaking floors, my dad added.
We do have those upstairs, my mom corrected.
That's true.
Are you through? I asked, disgusted with my parents teasing. This has to be done immediately. Where are all your catalogs?
Why all of a sudden do you want to do this makeover? my mom asked.
Alexander is going to have an interview.
How exciting, she replied.
But I wasnt as thrilled. Once the reporter sees what the Mansion looks like, Alexander will be the laughingstock of this town.
I hardly think that will happen.