“Are you fucking kidding me in here? It’s the middle of the morning! Get your asses dressed now. And you’d better come up with a damn good story for that girl.” Mike looked over his shoulder and Mary closed her eyes. But not before he’d seen the corners of her mouth twitching with laughter. “Jesus Christ, Magic Mike. Get some pants on and get out of here.”

“Get out where?” He started looking around, as if a new exit would appear.

Mary stomped to the bed and tossed a robe at Zoey, who was white as a ghost. His sister gave him a withering look as he made a feeble attempt to cover his privates now that she was in front of him.

“I don’t care if you slide down the waterspout and get yourself a buttload of well-deserved splinters. Get dressed and get out.”

“I can help explain to Hazel...”

“No!” This time it was Zoey who’d spoken. “She’s right. You need to leave. You won’t be able to help with anything right now.” She looked at him, her face a picture of devastation. He wanted to help her. But he didn’t know how. He felt useless. He yanked on his shorts without bothering to look for his briefs. He scooped up his polo shirt and pulled it over his head. He had no idea where his shoes were. Probably downstairs.

Mary picked up the empty brandy bottle and waved it at him like she wanted to throw it at him.

“Seriously? What are you, seventeen?”

Zoey was moving, but she looked like she’d collapse into a puddle at the slightest provocation.

“Why are you here, Mary?” She sounded shattered. “Why is Hazel here?”

Mary’s expression fell. “I’m so sorry. She forgot to pack a shirt for today, and she’d spilled something on the one she wore last night. I didn’t think twice about letting her run inside to get a clean one...at nine thirty in the morning. I never saw your car...” She looked at Mike. “Where is it, anyway?”

“Back by the barn.”

She nodded sadly. “We came in the front door. I had no idea that you two would be...where you were. Doing whatever you were doing.” She held her hand up. “And I do not want to know what that was. The scene is already burned into my eyeballs for eternity without knowing details.”

Downstairs, they could hear Hazel banging around in the kitchen, slamming cupboard doors and crying. Zoey looked at Mike, her eyes filled with unshed tears. She pulled on a pair of shorts and took a T-shirt from the dresser. “This is my worst nightmare times ten. Both of you go out the front door. I’ll go talk to her.” She looked to Mary. “I don’t think she’ll be babysitting today.”