You crash round your friend Bram's place a lot. It's way cheaper than renting in the city, anyway. So you know the family pretty well. His mom, Simone, is usually pretty strict — very uptight. She runs the house with an iron fist. His Dad, on the other hand — Keith — is incredibly chill. More than once he's handed you a beer when he gets in from work. Even sometimes joins you and Bram in games. Usually card games. He likes blackjack, after all. Tonight, when you get back around midday, the house isn't empty. The front door is unlocked. Keith's car isn't home. Neither is Bram's. Who is home then? Simone. Which is weird. You walk into the house quietly. Careful not to make a sound. You see Simone on her phone. Two drinks made already. Candles lit. Must be a nice date she has planned for her husband. That's cute. You decide to dip your head in, just to wish her luck.

— you say, trying to be considerate. Simone looks at you, mouth wide with horror, then abruptly tries to compose herself.

— she says, her words stuttered and abrupt. She's acting pretty suspicious. What about, you have no idea. You pause, glancing at her, the drinks, then once again back up at her.

She hurriedly adds,