Chapter 1 - EAT, FREELOADER
Brian Bennett grabbed the back of Walter Bennett’s head and forced his face down into the ceramic dog bowl.
Dry kibble scattered across the birthday table.
Walter’s palms slammed against the tablecloth.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then Brian laughed.
“EAT, FREELOADER!”
Walter stayed bent over the bowl.
Seventy years old.
Widowed.
Gray hair.
Light-blue shirt.
His birthday candles still burning three feet away.
Then Brian released him.
Walter lifted his head slowly.
Breathing hard.
Humiliated.
Melissa Bennett, Brian’s partner, still had her phone raised.
Recording.
She smirked.
“THIS IS THE ONLY DINNER YOU DESERVE.”
Brian pointed.
“YOU’RE USELESS!”
A few guests laughed nervously.
Not because it was funny.
Because people sometimes laugh when they are afraid to be the first person who says something is wrong.
Melissa stepped closer.
“JUST BE GRATEFUL WE LET YOU STAY HERE.”
That sentence changed Walter’s face.
Brian leaned in.
“Go on, Dad. Finish your food.”
Walter looked at the bowl.
Then at Brian.
Then Melissa.
His expression went cold.
He grabbed the ceramic bowl with both hands and hurled it across the table.
It slammed in front of them.
Kibble exploded across Brian’s black shirt.
Melissa jumped backward and nearly dropped her phone.
Everyone gasped.
“ENOUGH!”
Brian stared.
“Have you lost your mind?!”
Walter reached into his pocket.
Pulled out his phone.
Unlocked it.
Brian’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing?”
Walter pressed the emergency screen he had opened minutes earlier under the table.
“Now it’s your turn.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Red-and-blue light flashed across the dining-room windows.
Brian whipped toward the front door.
Melissa went pale.
The guests stood.
Walter remained still.
The sirens stopped directly outside the house.
Then he looked at Brian and said quietly:
“One more thing.”
Brian turned.
Walter pointed to the floor.
May you like
“My house.”
Brian froze.
