Ronnie quickly dressed and hurried to the kitchen. Marie placed a plate full of aromatic meat and veggies at her place at the table; she couldn't remember when she'd last eaten. "Thank you, I'm famished." She placed the notebook next to her plate. "Where's Mitch?" She opened her napkin and placed it on her lap.

"Right here." Mitch walked up behind her. He pulled out his usual chair while Marie hurried over with a full plate for him.

His chair scraped the floor, the sound like ...