THE JOKES DIDN'T STOP there, and when Maverick and the doctor returned from the kitchen, we were still laughing. The expressions on their faces had us sputtering to a stop, though. There was a long, pregnant pause and then someone tittered, triggering the rest of us. Even Zander grinned.
"Did we miss something?" asked Maverick, carrying a pitcher and a stack of cups. Once again, he sounded like a schoolteacher. Wynona and Ruthie continued to sputter. Maverick might think we were young and immature, but it had been nice to take a mental break from the life-changing events of today.
While Dr. Frankler and Maverick had thrown together a small feast in the kitchen, the candy jokes had evolved into trick-or-treating memories. Halloween was just around the corner and stores were already decked
