Page 30 of Tiger Queen

“This is my plan. And it’s a good one.”

Jake laughed bitterly. “There it is. The oldest brother making decisions without anyone’s input. Like always.”

“And there you go again, criticizing everything without offering your own solution! If you find a way to contribute a solution, come let me know.” Floorboards creaked as David stomped toward the door.

I hurried on to my room so they wouldn’t know I was eavesdropping. The door opened and slammed closed so hard the walls shook, and David stalked down the hall angrily.

15

Rachel

After David and Jake’s argument had safely died down, I went to the kitchen to get some dinner. The room smelled like roasted meat and spices. Anthony was crouched down in front of the oven, peering inside.

“There you are!” he said happily. “I’m making a big dinner. Chicken and potatoes. I figured we could all eat together, seeing as we’re working together now.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” I said. “I was planning on eating in my room. You don’t have to go to any extra effort for me.”

“No extra effort at all! It’s the same amount of food being cooked either way. Come on, I insist. I’ll be offended if you don’t join us.”

The food did smell more appetizing than another TV dinner. And the company would be nice. “Okay. I’d love to join.”

While Anthony finished preparing the food I set the table in the dining room. On one wall was a hutch filled with fine china and glassware, and on the other three walls were various photographs of Crazy Carl and his animals. In one of the photos he looked younger, and he had normal hair instead of his cherry-red mohawk.

David brought me a beer. “When was this photo taken?” I asked.

He glanced at it and laughed. “That was before we were born. Seventies, or early eighties.”

“He looks downright normal in this! When did he turn into Crazy Carl?”

David’s smile faded. “He liked to say it was when we were born. How having kids made him lose his marbles.”

“That’s a shitty thing for a father to say,” I said softly.

“Yeah. Add it to the pile.”

Jake appeared in the doorway and stopped. “The fuck is she doing here?”

“She’s having dinner with us.”

“Anthony said it was a family dinner.”

Anthony emerged from the kitchen with a big roasting pan filled with potatoes and chicken. “Dad always said the zoo employees were practically family. And trust me, this food is good. It would be super rude not to let her have some, even if her company wasn’t delightful.”

“I can go…” I offered.

“No.” David gave Jake a pointed stare. “You’re staying. My brother is being rude.”

Jake shrugged like it was no big deal.

“Hats off at the dinner table,” Anthony told Jake.

“That’s a dumb rule,” he replied.

Anthony blinked. “Yeah. But it was dad’s rule.”

After a moment, Jake removed his cotton beanie. His auburn hair was messy underneath.

We all sat down and passed around the serving dish. The potatoes were cut into wedges, which were golden and crispy, and the chicken breasts had been baked in some sort of cream sauce. Anthony returned from the kitchen with another dish of broccoli. My stomach rumbled as I piled my plate high.

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