"I was hoping you'd like it," Mrs. Sterling said, pleased. "It's not everyone's taste, we know. We love it because it has character."
Just then something flew overhead. My mom let out a scream.
"Sarah! Calm down," my dad said,
"I thought I just saw a bird."
"Not a bird, Sarah," Mr. Sterling said, "It was a bat."
"A bat?"
"We are so sorry. That happens from time to time, this house being so old and all."
"Jameson!" Mrs. Sterling called.
"Can we take it home?" I asked.
"Of course not!" my mom exclaimed.
Alexander was growing paler by the moment,
Jameson rushed in holding abroom, I found it comical watching the creepy man struggle as he chased the flying creature into another room,
"Well, that doesn't happen every day." My mom laughed.
"As a matter of fact, it does," Mr. Sterling commented.
Alexander quickly changed the subject to the weather, but when the forecast called for sunny skies, Mrs. Sterling became antsy.
"What about having a few BloodyMary's ?" she suggested.
"I'm not sure theMadisons like those, Mom," Alexander said.
"Perhaps you prefer wine?" Mr. Sterling asked.
I wanted to steer my parents away from anything red, just in case there was amixup in the kitchen.
"My parents love beer and martinis."
"Raven, don't be rude," my mother scolded.
"Of course," Mr. Sterling said."Jameson, two martinis."
"Make mine dry, please," my dad said.
And clear, I wanted to say.Very clear.
Jameson brought us trays of fancy finger foods. Tiny pastries and miniature sandwiches filled the pewter serving plates. I was afraid to ask what was inside, but that didn't stop my mother.
"Liver.Kidney.And-" Mrs. Sterling began before my mom cut her off.
"I'm still full from dinner," she remarked, and quickly switched to the pastries.
The pastries melted in our mouths and I craved more. I was scooping up a diamond-shaped one when my mom picked up the conversation.
"I couldn't help but notice," she said. "You don't have any mirrors. Not in the bathroom or the hallway."
"We have some in the basement," Mrs. Sterling answered truthfully. I remembered seeing them when Fd snuck in one time. "We just haven't hung them up," she continued.