Chapter 51-2

Perched on the armrest of the couch, I poke the heel of my boot against the frosty soda bottle in my hand. The recruits are spread out across the living room, devouring all the food Chastity had set out earlier. We're waiting for Uncle Jerry, who is almost an hour late. In a different situation, my father would have been pissed at his tardiness. However, Dad is ecstatic to see all of us together in the same room, and he's sat on the other side of the couch, chatting animatedly with several recruits. Eddie even pinned a 'welcome home' banner above the bay windows, and another recruit blew up some balloons. Chastity is taking a nap upstairs, thoroughly tired from her escapades in the kitchen. "Heard from Hector?" Aaron asks, offering me a bowl of chips. "Just a text message." I reply. "I'll try ringing him later, after this meeting." The front door swings open, door handle bouncing against the adjacent wall. The lively chatter dissipates as a stone-