SUDDENLY, SOMEONE RIPPED OPEN the back door. Ruthie's voice cut through the haze of shocking news that Mrs. Efoti had just delivered. "Hey, guys!"
I looked toward the kitchen to see her skipping toward us. "Mr. Efoti is kicking us out," she said indifferently. "Time to skedaddle. Enough of this serious crap. I need to start primping for tomorrow."
It sounded like she was ordering us to leave, but her eyes sought out mine with a question. I blinked, still processing what I'd heard. Ruthie's eyebrows drew together as she looked from me to Zander with concern.
"Yeah, we can go now," I agreed, rising from the couch before she could question me. She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, but didn't pursue her curiosity.
The twins ambled in behind Ruthie, Isaac dwarfing his sister.
