CHAPTER 54 – ESTABLISHING CONTACT
The boys were beside themselves to be in the presence of one of their heroes. A real football star! Come to visit Mauger! Wanting to meet them! Nothing could beat that!
Lancelot and Conan tried being brash and crass, by way of showing off to a certified tough guy. That didn't fly, so they cast about for other ways to gain favor. When they discovered that Barrajas admired chivalry, they became relentlessly gallant toward all the women in the room. Lancelot especially kowtowed to Louisa Barrajas, albeit with a wary eye on her husband lest he make some sort of misstep. Conan, out of loyalty to Richard, aka The Brains, applied himself whole-heartedly to making sure Emma didn't want for anything. Vincent, overwhelmed by the noise and excitement, clung to Janice but watched Louisa with open wonder. Mauger was trying to rise above it all, but was at least a little peeved that all the women on hand seemed to be taken care of without his help.
Dinner was another wiener roast out back in the cow pasture, but this one outshone the original event. The weather was nearly perfect: sunshine poking through white, fluffy, rainless clouds, and just enough breeze to remove the smoke without smashing it into anyone's face. Anyone who cared to notice did notice that the boys had absorbed some manners during their stay at Hippo's, and so had Janice.
Barrajas and his wife had learned the hard way, through repeatedly being tossed into unfamiliar surroundings, to fit in almost anywhere – and thank goodness, because they were there to feel out the possibility of adopting some or all of the children. Their nerves were jangled. They were drawing on every bit of poise they could muster.
Stolemaker, Hippo, and Emma were trying to make them feel at home but were charged with making sure the boys got a good home, preferably sooner instead of later, and weren't prepared to give points for celebrity status.
The boys didn't know what was up. Dennis and Janice had also been left out of the loop. But the boys and Dennis could sense something big was up. Janice was busy pretending she was above being impressed by a sports star, which made her even less aware than usual.
Emma excused herself to get something from the watchtower. She made it as far as the garage door.
Hell broke loose.
Not Exactly Allies Page 55