The Nelsons' house was quiet when Mr. Nelson, Ruby, and Zoey returned home. Vivaldi's Four Seasons played softly on the stereo, and there was a murmur of voices in the kitchen. They found Celeste and Mrs. Nelson playing cards at the table, a pot of freshly brewed tea between them. Mrs. Nelson had her cards face down on the table, using her good hand to sort them.
"Hit me," Celeste said, dealing herself a card. "Twenty. I win again."
"You two aren't gambling, are you?" Mr. Nelson asked, kissing his wife on the head.
She smiled up at him and pointed to Celeste. "She's a real shark."
"I'm teaching her blackjack," Celeste said. "The same way you taught me."
"Who me?" Mr. Nelson laughed.
"She's a g-good cook too," Mrs. Nelson said through her crooked smile. She pointed to the oven and sen
