Page 3 of Inferno

Before Stan could respond, their youngest son knocked again.“Ma?Are you in there?”

“Um, just a sec—”

But Mason was already opening the door.

With lightning-quick reflexes, Stan grabbed Prissy’s exercise towel from the floor and covered her nudity just as Mason burst into the room, a flash of blue and white in Star Wars pajamas.

“Ma, I can’t find my—”

“Boy,” Stan interrupted sternly, “how many times have we told you to knock before you enter a room?”

Mason pulled up short, frowning at his father as Prissy discreetly used her foot to drag her underwear out of the boy’s view. “But Ididknock.”

“And what are you supposed to do after that?” Stan demanded.

Dropping his gaze to the hardwood floor, Mason mumbled, “Wait for permission to enter.”

“That’s right,” Stan confirmed. “So why didn’t you do that?”

Taking pity on their son, Prissy gently intervened, “It’sokay, Mason. I know you’ll remember next time. Now what were you saying that you can’t find?”

Darting a wary glance at his father, Mason replied, “I can’t find my firefighter T-shirt. I wanna wear it today ’cause Dad’s coming to my school. Remember, Daddy?”

Stan smiled indulgently. “Of course I remember. But the presentation’s tomorrow, champ. Not today.”

“Nuh uh,” Mason argued, wagging his head. “It’s today.”

Stan frowned. “I think you’re mistaken, son.”

“Actually, he’s not,” Prissy interjected. “Your visit to Mason’s classistoday.”

“It is?”

“Yes,” Prissy and Mason chorused.

“Aw, hell,” Stan muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I must have gotten the dates mixed up.”

“I don’t see how,” Prissy said reproachfully. “It’s all our son has been talking about for weeks, and his teacher sent home a reminder a few days ago.”

Mason eyed his father worriedly. “Are you still coming, Daddy?”

“Of course, son.I’m looking forward to it.” Stan smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He glanced at Prissy. “I’ll help Mason find his shirt so you can finish your workout.”

Prissy nodded, watching as he got to his feet. “He needs to wear the T-shirt over the turtleneck I laid out for him. It’s cold outside.”

Stan gave a mock salute.“Yes, ma’am.Let’s go, champ.”

As father and son started from the room, Mason glanced back curiously at Prissy,thenlooked up at Stan.“Daddy?”

“Hmm?”

“How come Ma’s underwear was on the floor?”

As Prissy’s face flamed with embarrassment, Stan threw back his head and roared with laughter.