Page 164 of Property of Whiskey

Whiskey sees me coming and doesn’t tell me to stay back.

“Outside where?”

Another pause.

“Tree line?”

My skin prickles. Appropriate.

“Wren, listen to me. You do not go outside.”

He listens.

“No, I don’t care if he’s nice.”

Royal’s eyebrows climb.

Becki whispers, “Imaginary friend?”

Whiskey glances toward her before Wren says something else.

Whatever it is drains the remaining color from his face.

“What did you say?”

Even Legend stops moving now.

Whiskey’s voice lowers.

“Say that again.”

He listens for a long time, then looks directly at me.

I don’t know why.

“He doesn’t like who?”

Another pause.

“The church people?”

My stomach drops.

Nobody speaks.

Whiskey turns partly away. “Wren, how do you know that?”

Whatever answer she gives doesn’t help.

His mouth flattens. “No. You stay with Glamaw. Lock the door. I’m coming.”

He hangs up.

Legend is already moving toward him. “What happened?”

Whiskey looks at him. “My kid’s got an imaginary friend.”

Oaks blinks. “That what we’re calling an emergency now?”