Washington, her son, and five grandchildren, crowded did not begin to describe it. The apartment was a two-bedroom, and with Mrs. As large as the crowd was, the table had been supplemented with two card tables, pushing them into the family room. “You were convinced that your real father had died and left you with those wicked people, and some day, you would be rescued and restored to the pampering and love which was due to you.” “Only when I got grounded for not cleaning my room,” she said.
“I mentioned it to Neveah last time we had dinner, and she looked interested.” “Let me guess,” he said. “My favorite growing up,” Dawn explained. “A Little Princess?” John asked, tilting his head to read the titles. “She wants the kids to learn.” As the traditional gift of a bottle of wine wouldn’t be appreciated, Dima brought a bouquet of flowers and Dawn had a stack of books. “She’ll ask you questions to draw you out,” she warned him. “I think I’ll just stay quiet,” Taekwon muttered. I wet my pants once, she scared me so bad.” “No taking the Lord’s name in vain,” John reminded him. “Holy God, it sounds like my Auntie Florence,” he said.
You may discuss work and school in general, but you are not to bring up complaints.” John smiled silently, but Taekwon looked alarm.
Use your silverware, not your fingers.” “There is no alcohol in the house,” Dima took up, “except for the small amount of beer which she allows her son to keep in the refrigerator, and it is not consumed in the house. Do not grab.You do not have to participate in grace, but you will bow your head and stay quiet. There is no proselytizing.” “No dribbling balls,” Dawn continued for him, “no throwing anything of any sort in any manner. Politics and religion are to be discussed in educational context only. “No cursing,” Dima explained the rules to them. Dima, for one, was more willing to declare war on another country than disappoint Mrs. Washington made clear her invitation was for everyone in Dima’s household and she would be disappointed if someone didn’t show. John and Taekwon were joining them, as Mrs. “That’s two I owe him,” she said, thinking back to when he’d healed her left arm after it had been shattered by one of the Vermis demons they’d fought at the monastery in the Czech Republic. “For what they do repair, John’s spells work extremely well.” She sighed and started with foundation. “Even Buffy would have to cope with a broken hand for a few days,” Dima reminded her, giving her a kiss and then tying his tie while looking over her shoulder. There was no point in hiding it for dinner. Washington had already seen her black eye in all its glory. She finally decided on enough makeup to reduce the intensity of the colors, but not so much as to look like she was trying to hide it. Telling them that she’d actually gotten in a fight with her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend only got her looks she thought ought to be reserved for the Jerry Springer show. She could wade into another fight with all her resources, but she’d also been stopped by three different women, urging her to leave her abusive lover. John’s bottom-up approach to combat healing meant that her hand was restored and the swelling around her eye had gone down, but the tenderness and rainbow of colors from darkest indigo across her lid and in spots below her eye to the yellow-green of her cheekbone and inside corner of her eye were very much present. Leave as is or try to cover it with some makeup. Dawn checked her black eye and considered her options.