Page 67 of Things I Read About
He looks up at me, but his face is still unreadable. He clears his throat. A social cue that he feels uncomfortable.
Crap.
“Anyway. You can see how much they love my dad. You should file that away for later in the tour.” My stomach flips. My family is so weird. “Right through here,” I say. “This is the library, which Shep says is my room.”
We walk in to check out the walls filled with thousands of books, the fireplace, and an upright piano against one wall.
“This your piano?” Nate asks.
“No, this is our childhood piano, Sadie’s now. Go around there,” I tell him.
The library wraps around the edge of the house, making an awkward corner of windows. Around the bend, books line one side and huge wall-to-wall windows line the other. And in the middle of the space, is a brand new, shiny, black grand piano.
“That’smy piano.”
He turns and looks back at me. Something is there, a tiny wave of emotion, but I’m not sure what it means. In a flash, it’s gone and a scowl takes its place.
“I know. Spoiled, privileged, ridiculous, little sister with her extremely thoughtful, loving family. The point is, you asked how anyone can stand Shep and Sadie—who do seem gross if all you know of them is a press event last night and this estate ‘the size of a county.’ They do everything big, including love their people.” I storm away from him, hoping I’ve made my point. “Anyway, to the kitchen.”
We can tease each other all we want, but no outsider talks crap about my family. Nate has no idea what we’ve been through.Jerk.
“State of the art kitchen, breakfast area, bar top dining area, formal dining is right through there. Shep was about to have the appliances reengineered to work with the app, but it was deemed a fire hazard.”
Nate freezes. I'm not sure why. I guess maybe it is also his job to worry about fire safety.
“They’re normal, just regular fancy appliances. Very safe,” I say, trying to calm him.
I take a breath and put my hand on the door handle.Here we go.I can’t believe I’m doing this; I should have made Fergus do this part.
“Nate, um, what do you know about us Bible Belters?”
“Only my experience with you, so, absolutely nothing.”
I slow blink, trying to stay relaxed. I need to get through this tour. I can address his jabs at me later. “Well, what does it mean to you if I saythe end times?”
“Like, Armageddon?” He’s confused again. Understandable.
“No, like the Biblical tribulation period before the return of, um, Jesus.”
“Oh…right. Okay?”
I open the door to what we call The Bunker. But it’s pitch black. Of course.
“Home,” I call out. “Pantry lights on.”
Nothing happens.
“Ho—”
“Oh-kay Sa-die,” the female robot voice says. “Turning two panty lights on.”
No lights come on. And did the house just said panty? As in special underwear lights? Is that a thing Sadie has?!
Lord, if you are coming back, could you do it now?
“Home, turn on the pantry lights.”
“What about bunker?” Nate suggests, looking at the iPad like it may combust. He’s concerned. He should be.
