Send the boys to help unload the car

“Boys, go out and help your aunt with the luggage. She shouldn’t be trying to carry those heavy things herself.”

You watch your sons head out the door to greet Carol and send her in to you as they help their cousin with the bags.

You greet Carol with a big hug. “How was your trip, Dear? You look rather flushed.”

Carol answers with a weak smile. “It was fine, up until the end. It’s a good thing Ronnie was driving; I don’t know if my nerves would have allowed me to keep the car on the road!”

“Whatever happened?”

“We was this young woman walking down the sidewalk; she was wearing a long coat, but when the wind caught it and blew it open, she was wearing practically nothing at all!”

Hmmmm.... That would be Aron’s little friend. You glance nervously down the hallway toward the closed door to his bedroom. To Carol, you say, “Oh, how horrible! I don’t know what this neighborhood is coming to! What did you do?”

“Well, I reached right over to cover Ronnie’s eyes. He’s such an innocent child, you know. But I forgot he was driving, and he almost got in an accident. As it was, we had to circle the block again because we missed your house.”

“Well come in and rest,” you tell her. “You shouldn’t have any more problems.”

You usher Carol into the living room. As you do, you hear a voice approaching the front door.

“Hi, Aunt Marsha!”

You look in amazement at the young man standing in your doorway. If you hadn't known to expect Ronnie, you wouldn't have recognized him. He has grown about six inches from when you last remember seeing him, and he has the upper body muscle development of a seasoned ranchhand.

“Ronnie! Look at you! Carol, what are you feeding this young man? Look how he’s grown!” You hope no one noticed that your eyes were focused between his legs as you said that last part.

“I’m feeding him practically everything in the house,” replies Carol, with a tired smile. “You know how boys are at his age — one-track minds.” You look at Carol in surprise, given what your boys have said about his sheltered life. Carol sees your look and says, “Food, of course. That’s all he seems to think about.”

“Hey, Cuz!” says Candy, emerging from one last check of her bedroom. “Good to see you!”

You see Ronnie’s eyes widen and take in his cousin’s body. Carol must be clueless if she thinks food is the only thing Ronnie is interested in.

At this point Bryan and Aron come staggering in, weighted down by luggage. You tell them to carry Carol and Ronnie’s things to their rooms. Ronnie grabs his things and follows them to help. You have Candy escort Carol to the living room while you fetch some coffee.

As you carry the coffee into the living room, you hear Carol talking to Candy. “But I thought you were going being courted by that young animal trainer when I was here last. Wasn’t his name Anthony?”

You and Candy exchange blank looks.

“Animal trainer? I don’t remember an animal trainer, Aunt Carol.”

Carol looks puzzled. “I’m sure that’s what he was. You told me that’s why he came to the door carrying that whip — that he had just gotten off from work at a circus or something.”

Candy’s face turns red. That’s a rarity, since few things embarrass her. You guess that she is more flustered about having to present herself as some sort of Victorian lady.

“Oh, Anthony!” she says. “Of course! I must still be in shock from it all!”

Carol sets down her coffee. “Did he cheat on you, Dear? Oh, that’s horrible! I know what it’s like. You can tell me.”

“No, he didn’t cheat on me. He was mauled to **** by lions.”

Carol covers her mouth in horror. You give Candy a wide-eyed, open-mouthed stare. She gives you a sly wink and continues. “Yes, it was awful. I think he was going to propose to me that night, and that must be why he let his concentration drop. Just for a moment, but that was all it took — he was torn to bits, and I may never be the same!” She burst out in what was a rather convincing cry, burying her face in her hands. The way her shoulders were shaking, though, you knew she was just covering up her laughter. Carol, however, is convinced and puts her arms around her niece.

“Oh, you poor dear! That’s so tragic! I had no idea!”

“And I’ve been such a wreck ever since!” Candy continues. “And worst of all, I’m totally afraid of all animals now. My therapist says I need to spend lots of time with people who work with animals to help overcome my fears — you know, farmers, ranchhands, and so forth, but it’s so hard to find anyone like that here in the city!” She dissolves once again into sobs.

“Well, it’s fortunate for in that we are here,” says Carol. “Ronnie spends his whole day tending our horses on the farm. We will just need to make sure you two get plenty of time together during this visit.”

You see where this is going and interrupt. “That’s very kind, Carol, but I think the boys have already made some plans with Ronnie. We can’t let Candy monopolize his time.”

“Speaking of the boys, where did they go? I only got a quick hug from my nephews; I want to ask them about college.”

In shock you remember Kelli and realize the three boys are in Aron’s room with her. You stand up quickly and say, “I will go get them. You stay right there, Carol. I’ll be right back.”

You hurry down the hallway to Aron’s room. The door is closed, and you listen carefully, but hear nothing.