CHAPTER 18

 

Grandpa said, “The time period reminded me of some old Jules Verne novels—one of my favorites.”

“Yeah, it was kind of Steampunk too,” Jack said.

“It went great with the apple slices, Judy,” Dan said, looking a bit uncomfortable.

Jack added. “Yeah, Mom, they were your best ever.”

Nancy screamed. “DAD!”

There was a splattering sound as Dan turned his head and threw up apple slices, mincemeat pie, and the rest of Christmas dinner.

“You threw up on my phone!” Nancy shrieked, and—gagging—tried to retrieve it from the warm pile of steaming vomit.

“You shouldn’t have left it on the couch.” Nick grinned.

“Fuck you, Nicky.” And she stormed up the stairs with her dripping phone held out in front of her. “I hate this family!”

Grandpa spoke first and clapped his hands. “Well... what’s the next story?”

Dan wiped his mouth and said, “Go ahead, Jack. You’ve got the book. What is it?”

Jack glanced at his mother, who was oddly fixated on something in the fireplace. He scanned the title. “This is called Black Friday.”