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CHAPTER THREE ( death, death, death )
THE FISHERS AND THE CONKLINS ALL SIT AROUND A GREAT BIG TABLE IN THE DINING ROOM FOR SUPPER. How cool is that? It feels so old fashioned, but in a welcomed way.
"Steven, I swear to God if you look at that phone one more time, I'm putting it in the screen basket."
Laurel's irritated voice causes my eyes to snap up from my own screen in my lap.
Okay, maybe not that old fashioned, but still nice.
"It's just, we want to see your beautiful faces." Susannah smiles warmly, lifting a glass of white wine to her lips. "Can dinner be a screen-free zone? You know, like the olden days."
I'll admit it, I'm just as guilty as the rest when it comes to the phone addiction. I hate it, but I can't feel completely comfortable without it at least in my general vicinity; waiting there for me like a child's worn-out security blanket if ever I need it. But for the most angelic woman on planet earth, I turn it off and slide it beneath my thigh, where I'll usually let it rest if I need to put it away but don't want it totally out of reach. Everyone else obliges just the same— almost.
"Steven." Jeremiah looks to the boy sitting in the chair next to his, still completely engrossed in the device, before grinning and yanking it out of his hand. He springs up from his seat and tosses the phone across the room as if he was making a hoop shot.
"Dude, are you kidding me?!" Steven huffs.
"BOOM!" Jeremiah's hands curl into fists of triumph and he flexes in pride when the phone lands in a basket full of cushy blankets. "NAILED IT."
I have no real reaction to this, but my hand is already open and palm-up beneath the table for him to high five from where I sit on the other side of him, which he does the second he plops back down into his chair; not ever glancing my way.
"Okay, okay, okay, we get it! You've been working out!" the Conklin boy reluctantly lets out a chuckle.
Belly laughs, tilting her head at her brother. "Oh, you're just jealous because Jere has a better body than you."
"Uh, no, actually it's all about the lean look now." Steven informs. "Otherwise you can't wear tailored suits."
