Jennine might be a nymphomaniac, but she wasn’t dense. “Of course, sugar. I’ll get out of your way. Abeo? Thank you for a dazzling evening.” She blew him a kiss and addressed Chi-Chi. “See you ’round campus! Ta-ta.” She twirled her silk caftan and slithered out the door.

Abeo looked like he had just come out of a drug-induced coma and flopped on the sofa. Chi-Chi decided to accept it as something her brother engaged in. It wasn’t her problem, as long as Jennine didn’t become a fixture in her house. That’s when she decided to ask, “Abeo. How long will you be in town?”

“Sister, why do you ask?” he answered in a zombielike tone.

“Because you keep surprising me, and I would like to know how much longer I can anticipate disturbing behavior from my brother?” Chi-Chi folded her arms, waiting for an answer.

“I will be here two more days. Unless that is an issue for you?” he replied sheepishly.

“So you will be leaving on Tuesday?” Chi-Chi wanted it to be abundantly clear.

“That is correct, dear sister. Please accept my most sincere apologies for the discomfort I have brought upon you.”

“You have no idea.” Chi-Chi blew out a big burst of air. “That woman will never leave me alone now. Every day it will be, ‘How is your brother? Will he be coming back soon? Has he asked about me?’ It will be painful.”

“Oh, dear sister. Again, my most heartfelt apologies.”

“Tell me. How did you manage all of this? Or should I say, how did she manage all of this?” Chi-Chi folded her arms again, waiting for an answer.

“She plied me with alcohol.” Abeo shook his head.

“You hardly drink.”

“That is the problem.” He kept shaking his head. “The champagne was delicious and she kept refilling my glass. Before I knew it, I was getting tipsy. I did not want to drive. She offered.”

“And then she didn’t leave!” Chi-Chi was beside herself.

“Do not worry. Nothing happened.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Chi-Chi was standing over him now.

“It is the truth, dear sister. I passed out.”

“Thank goodness for small favors. Although that might mean she will want to take another shot at you.”

Now it was Chi-Chi’s turn to shake her head.

“Do you really think so?” Abeo tried to play innocent.

“I know so.” Chi-Chi sighed.

“I do not plan to come back for several months. Maybe she will forget.” Abeo attempted a smile.

“I doubt it,” Chi-Chi replied. “Come on. You need to go to church.” Chi-Chi hauled Abeo off the sofa and shoved him toward her guest room. “And please replace the sheets before you leave on Tuesday.”

“But I told you nothing happened.” Abeo was insistent.