Page 112 of Not In The Contract

In another part of the house something crashed down the stairs, followed by a sharp curse that sounded like Tamera’s mom.

“Mrs. Rylee?” I called, following the sound of cursing. “Do you need help?”

I rounded the corner that led to a staircase at the back of the house, stepping over stray Lego piece death traps and toy trucks scattered across the floor.

“Dee!” Mrs. Rylee exclaimed, sweeping her long locks over her shoulder in a way that made no mistake that Tamera was her mother’s copy. “I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

“Tamera told me it was Junior’s big day.” I shrugged, taking in the box of decorations that had been sprawled at the foot of the stairs. “How could I miss it?”

I bent down and gathered up the trinkets and colorful pennants while Mrs. Rylee straightened herself.

“You don’t have to do all that,” she fussed, but I shook my head.

“How many times have you cooked the best meals for me since I met Tam?” I chuckled. “This is the least I can do. Besides, it sounds like the vanguard has arrived.”

Indeed, Tam’s firm, barked orders filtered to the back of the house and we shared a smile. With four siblings, all of whom were much younger than her, Tamera was somewhat of a brigadier general in her family.

Mrs. Rylee was a gentle soul, but by no means soft. I’d learned firsthand that it was better to be on Tam’s bad side than her mother’s. I figured the kids had learned that too, which was why they only ever incited Tamera’s authority.

“I told Junior that he could let Stephen out for ten minutes.” Mrs. Rylee sighed. “But Denny is terrified. It’s a bit of a mess.”

I shivered. Stephen was Junior’s pet snake. I wasn’t particularly scared of snakes but had a healthy respect for an obvious predator.

I helped Mrs. Rylee carry the decorations for Junior’s party into the main living room, where we found Tamera holding a bored looking ball python. Holding wasn’t the right word. Stephen was practically lounging across Tamera’s shoulders, his head resting near her upper thigh. Junior stood a foot shorter than Tam, his hands balled into fists at his side while his little sister, Denny, cowered behind the sofa.

“What a mess.” I sighed, setting the box on the table near the wall and resting my hands on my hips.

Three sets of dark eyes pinned me to the spot, and I had a second of silence to brace myself before Denny and Junior were on top of me.

“Aunty Dee!” they squealed in tandem, wrapping their little arms around my hips and squeezing tight.

“Hello, my favorite little terrors.” I giggled. “Junior, I heard you teasing Denny when I walked in just now.”

He pulled away with a pout. “It’s not my fault she’s scared of Stephen,” he huffed, and Denny stuck her tongue out at him.

I tried not to shudder as I looked at Stephen. I couldn’t blame Denny for her fear, Stephen could eat two of her in one go.

“And is it nice to be mean to girls?” Tamera asked, her voice calm considering Stephen was making himself very comfortable around her neck.

Junior folded his arms with ahmph! “No, but Denny is my sister,” he said. “It doesn’t count.”

“That’s very brave of you to say, young man,” Mrs. Rylee said, and I fought to hold in my laughter as I watched physical fear crackle down Junior’s spine.

He stood up straight and cast a wary glance over at his mother. “It’s not nice to be mean to girls.” He pouted. “Even if they’re your sister.”

“Much better,” Mrs. Rylee said with a serene smile. “I’ll go make lunch.”

She disappeared into the kitchen and I turned to look back at Tamera.

“Sorry I’m late.” She grinned. “When did you get here?”

“When your mom dropped the decorations down the stairs and Stephen tried to eat Denny.”

“Stephen is a vegetarian!” Junior piped up.

“Of course, he is.” Tamera cackled, handing the large snake back to its owner. “Now put him to bed. You know he doesn’t like being around so many people.”

“‘Kay,” Junior mumbled unhappily, and carried his snake back upstairs.