Page 126 of Bone’s Choice

I stopped.

Crystal almost walked into me.

“What?”

I pointed. “Why does the chicken say welcome?”

She looked at it. “I don’t know.”

“Where would you put that?”

“Kitchen?”

Kori stopped beside us. “Porch.”

“Why would I need a chicken welcoming people to my porch?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

I looked at her. “That isn’t an answer.”

Kori picked up the wooden chicken. It was bright yellow with a red comb and WELCOME FRIENDS painted across its stomach. “You need this.”

“I absolutely do not,” I laughed.

“For your new house.”

“No.”

“Housewarming present,” Kori cheered.

“I’ll throw it away,” I blurted.

“You wouldn’t.”

“I would.” I wouldn’t if they bought it for me, but I could tell you that it would be in the corner of the porch with a pot in front of it.

Crystal sipped her coffee. “She’s lying.”

I looked at her. “Whose side are you on?”

“The chicken’s.”

“Of course.”

Kori held it up beside my head. “Look how happy he is.”

“It’s a piece of wood.”

“He’s happy,” she smiled.

“He’s terrifying.”

“He’s welcoming.”

“Put the chicken down,” I ordered.

Kori sighed and carefully returned him to the table. “Fine.”