Page 130 of Forever Dead
After that, the witch had become a stationary decoration.
Selena got out slowly, planted the cane, and crossed the pavement.
The front door opened before she reached the porch.
Robert stood there smiling. “Well, there’s a surprise.”
“I was nearby.”
“You live ten minutes away.”
“Exactly.”
His attention dropped toward the brace beneath her jeans. “How’s the leg?”
“Better.”
“And the wrist?”
“Also better.”
Robert stepped aside. “Come in and let me see you walk.”
Selena gave him a flat stare. “I came to visit my father, not attend another medical assessment.”
“I’m your father. It’s worse.”
She entered.
Halloween continued inside. A string of orange lights surrounded the hallway mirror. Small pumpkins lined the console table, and a rubber rat sat halfway up the stairs.
Selena pointed with the cane. “Please tell me Diane put that there.”
“No.”
“You bought a rubber rat?”
“It came with some other things.”
“You could’ve thrown it away.”
“Waste not.”
“That thing is exactly why people think this family is strange.”
Robert shut the door behind her. “Nobody needs decorations to think that.”
The living room was warm. A large bowl of wrapped candy already occupied the coffee table, along with two unopened bags beside it.
Selena lowered herself onto the couch and stretched the bad leg forward.
Robert noticed how she had stretched out her leg.
“Want a cushion?”
“Please.”
He fetched one and tucked it beneath her calf before taking the armchair opposite.
