“Cut it out, Mom.” Bart was defensive. “Jay had nothing to do with it. We didn’t even stay at his house. His mom didn’t know anything about his inviting us over, so we just went out jackin’ around.”

“Jacking around?”

“We went out to the Tunnel,” Del said, glancing at Stiles for support, “to play a practical joke. And then these guys jumped us, beat Bart up pretty good. Pretty straightforward if you ask me. What about that chili?”

“A fight at the Tunnel?” Ted stomped his foot, disgusted. “We were just out there a little while ago. Damn, I miss everything!”

“We didn’t recognize them, Charlie,” Bart said. “Probably out-of-town guys. We didn’t even get a good look at their car, the Tunnel was so dark. It’s just a good thing Mr. Stiles came along when he did.”

“Did you get a look at the car?” Bean asked Stiles. The latter shook his head.

“I was more concerned with these two, to tell you the truth. Sorry. I guess I should’ve been a little more observant.”

“I’m just glad you were there when you were,” Billie took his hand, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. The boys exchanged bemused expressions. Charlie Bean just looked bored.

“I didn’t know you ’uns knew each other,” Bart grinned, still lopsided. Billie suddenly became aware of the eyes on her and drew away from Stiles, busying herself with the boys instead.

“How about something to eat?”

“It’s about time,” Del sighed.

Sharon started for the counter ahead of Billie. “Three bowls of chili, on the house.” Stiles smiled at that, and so did his empty pockets.

The furor over the boys’ condition finally subsided as the three of them sat down to their late meal. Ted and Doreen left; knowing Ted, probably to cruise the Tunnel with his bat close at hand. Frank quieted down as he sobered up. Mr. Bailey just sat.

Billie perched herself between Stiles and the boys and gravitated between casting him smiles and continuously rechecking Bart’s wounds or scolding Delbert. Charlie Bean sat astraddle a chair at the next table, finishing his coffee and watching the boys. “You sure you’re all right?” he finally asked. They nodded, for the fourteenth time. “Well, it sure is lucky you came along, Mr. Stiles.”

“Chris, please.”

“Oh, that’s right. Tell me, just what were you doing out there?”

Stiles gave him an open, innocent expression. “Ghost-hunting. I went out to look at the Danner House. But you can’t see it from the road, and the gate’s chained shut. So, I came back toward town and that’s when I spotted these guys. You think you’ll catch the ones that did this?”

Del and Bart exchanged glances.