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Kerry Winsor: I think we all know why it flickered. This time it’s Jade blowing a fuse!

Jade Clark: You’re on thin ice.

Kerry Winsor: Or it’s just the wind! (wink wink)

Jade Clark: You’re not subtle.

Jade Clark: And also fuck you.

I woke up on my kitchen counter. Unfortunately, this wasn’t unusual for me. But the sound of someone knocking at my door was.

“Ugh,” I said as I straightened. “Did I have to sleepwalk here?”

I slowly made my way to the door and moved the furniture, wondering who would bother me. Most of my friends knew that it was far better to text rather than showing up at my door unannounced. Yet, some people in town preferred to see me in person.

When I opened the door, there was no one there. Then I looked down.

One of Gabriel’s kids was in front of me. She had a mean glare aimed in my direction.

“Do you have food?”

“Excuse me?”

“That man is starving me.”

And with that, she pushed into my apartment.

So this was how things were going to go.

Cool.

“Welcome in, kid. I’m happy to have a guest.”

“I’m a starving child.”

“I highly doubt that.” I shut my door and followed her. “Do you like cereal?”

“Yes. I also haven’t eaten in days. Can you tell the police that?”

I crossed my arms and leaned down. Stuck on the kid’s shirt was a grain of rice. “Then what’s this?”

“It’s from the scraps I took from the floor.”

“Kid—”

“It’s Agnes.”

“Agnes,” I said. “Unfortunately, I know your father, and I know he wouldn’t starve anyone. He makes good rice too.”

Agnes rolled her eyes. “I’m leaving.”

“I thought you wanted food.”

“I want someone to call the police.”

I checked the time. It was eight in the morning. Gabriel used to sleep in, so I had no doubts he was still in bed.

“But I have the good cereal.”