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9

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Kathy entered the kitchen, Ed following behind, both sets of heels clicking against the tiled floor. Ed slumped down into his chair and rested his head in his hands on the table.

Kathy pulled her tray of meatloaf from the oven and a different tray holding bread, then turned to Ed. She pointed at him with an oven-mit covered hand. "Elbows off the table."

Ed quickly straightened up. "Much better," Kathy said, placing the bread tray on the table. She scooped a chunk of meatloaf onto his plate, then onto hers. After placing the tray on the counter, she sat down at the opposite end of the table.

Ed picked up his fork and dug it into the meatloaf. What was he going to do about the notebook Mr. Brinkley had given him? The thought plagued his mind.

"Speaking of Mr. Brinkley..." Ed suddenly said aloud.

Kathy was about to eat the chunk of meatloaf from off her fork. But when Ed spoke she put her fork down confusedly and looked at him. "No one was speaking of Mr. Brinkley, what's gotten into you?"

"Well, now that we are, I forgot to tell you."

"Forgot to tell me what?" Kathy asked.

"Mr. Brinkley ever so kindly invited us over to his house for dinner on Tuesday! Isn't that swell?"

"Yeah. Swell. Mmhmm..." Kathy replied, being sarcastic.

Ed didn't pick up on her sarcasm. "I know! It's just the greatest thing ever. I'm so excited, I can't wait." He paused. "I wonder what his house looks like..." Ed said, dreamily, staring off into the distance.

"Just peachy, I'm assuming..." Kathy replied, the sarcasm in her voice coming out more than before.

"He really is peachy... I wonder if he likes peaches..." Ed said in the dreamy voice, still staring distantly.

Kathy raised a hand to Ed's dreamy expression and began snapping her fingers. "Ed, Ed. Eat your supper, darling."

Ed shook off his state and shoved some meatloaf into his mouth. He raised a thumb up to Kathy. "Good meatloaf," Ed complimented with his mouth full.

Kathy sighed. "Don't talk with your mouth full, honey. It's not polite."

Ed nodded and swallowed his mouthful. He put down the fork and extended his arm to the bread tray.

"Careful now, they're pretty hot," Kathy warned. "You should really be using your napkin."

"Come on now, Kathy. I really don't think--" His hand made contact with the bread, immediately issuing a burst of heat and pain through his hand. "OW!" Ed yelled, pulling his burning hand back quickly from the bread.

Kathy placed her hands over her mouth and gasped. "Ed!"

He quickly sank his injured hand into his glass of water and sighed with relief, being partially dismissed from the burning sensation.

Kathy looked at his method of healing and shrugged.