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. Phoebe seemed surprised to see her mother alone with us. "Where's Caroline and Uncle Iosefa?"
"Aunt Caroline," corrected her mother.
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "I mean Aunt Caroline."