Page 142 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Maybe a little.”

“That was my bear. He was my welcome-to-the-neighborhood present from Lucia.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Grievance tried schooling his face into a serious expression. But then the bear’s head chose that moment to roll off the cushion and land upside down on the rug, and Grievance lost it.

“Grievance!”

“I am sorry.” He was not. “He d-died bravely,” he gasped, wiping tears from his eyes.

“He was ambushed by a baby dragon.”

“A warrior’s death.”

“He was holding a little embroidered heart.”

Grievance snorted. “Then he died for love.”

Milo pressed his lips together, but Grievance saw his stubborn resolve crack as a tiny snort escaped him.

“See! You think it’s funny too.”

“I absolutely do not.”

“You laughed.”

“I’m laughing at you.”

“Still counts.”

Esmerelda gave the teddy’s severed arm a violent shake. More stuffing exploded across the rug.

Milo pointed the spoon at him. “You’re cleaning this up.”

Grievance wisely reached for the broom as new waves of laughter broke out each time a piece of white fluff fell from the beams across the ceiling.

Pip crawled proudly onto Esmerelda’s head.

“Next lesson: throat.”

“No!” Milo snapped. “No throats!”

Pip drooped. “Fine.”

Milo sighed, then looked at Esmerelda, who was practically vibrating beneath her tiny instructor.

“You’re a good teacher, Pip. Keep at it while we’re out today. But don’t stay up too late. She’s still a baby.”

“Pip knows.”

“And no killing anything.”

Pip looked toward the ruined bear. “Define killing.”

“Pip.”

“Fine.”