The Haunted - Jessica Verday [93]
Whatever perfume Sophie was wearing did not suit her very well.
Mom disappeared into the kitchen, then returned a couple of minutes later holding a large silver dish. “I hope everyone’s hungry. I made pork roast with cardamom mushroom sauce.
And I also have meatball soup.”
“Personally, I can’t wait for the meatballs,” Kame said. “I’m sure everything else will be wonderful too, but meatballs are my downfall. They are…”—he kissed his fingers to his lips—“delizioso.”
Mom beamed a huge smile. “Well, I hope my meatballs live up to your high standards.” Kame smiled back at her, and I rolled my eyes. So gross.
The pork roast moved steadily down the line from Kame to Sophie, and she waited until it was safely passed on to Dad before she said, “So Abbey, I assume you’re going to be a senior this year?” I nodded. “I hear the schools around here are just fantastic. The teacher-student ratio and academic courses—what an asset to this community. I’m sure that really helps with the value.”
Asset to the community? Strong academic courses? What were they, school-board offi-cials?
“Oh, yes,” Mom raved. “And we have one of the highest secondary education continuance levels in the state. But of course, we are always seeking new and improved ways to help our students. One of our main goals this year is to encourage our local teens to become active in their community. Big brother/big sister programs, volunteer work with the elderly, community service to improve our parks…”
I gave Mom a double take. This was the first time I’d ever heard of any of those things.
“That’s so important,” Sophie agreed.
Kame nodded. “Strong community gives people a better sense of self.” Okayyyy, so they’re… self-help gurus? “How did you say you know my parents?” I asked Sophie.
“They knocked on our door at just the right time,” Mom replied. “The Maxwells were here, and we were discussing dinner, so it just turned into one big group meeting when we invited them in.”
“We were here to introduce ourselves,” Sophie said to me. “We’re with the new branch of Hotchkiss Realty.”
That explained their outfits, then.
I watched her closely while she went on to talk about real estate, studying her hair as she spoke. It was a bright red color that was so vivid, there was no way it was natural. And as I looked closer, I could see little glints of pale blond peeking through here and there. Like the dye hadn’t been strong enough to cover up her original color.
Almost perfect, but not quite.
Dad handed me the roast, and I scooped some onto my plate, then passed it on to Mrs.
M. I picked up a fork and stabbed one of the squares, then lifted it to my mouth. Just as I was about to take a bite, that burnt smell drifted up to me again.
I moved the fork closer and inspected the food. There weren’t any darkened edges. Sniff-ing again, I got just the barest hint of a smell this time. Everyone else looked like they were enjoying it.
I put the fork to my mouth again, forced it past my lips, and chewed. The taste was fine, if somewhat bland. I reached for another piece and discreetly smelled it. Smells fine. I shook my head, hoping to clear whatever was going on in there.
The second bite went down smoothly, and I relaxed. But every now and then I caught a brief trace of it. It was almost like I was tasting Sophie’s perfume. Must be some weird scent-taste-association thing happening.
Conversation ebbed and flowed around me, with everyone keeping pretty much the same pace. Mrs. M. was a little on the quiet side, but I think I was the only one who noticed. Eventually, the evening wore on, and Sophie and Kame were the first to say they needed to be going.
Sophie came over to Mrs. M., and they shook hands before she slipped Mrs. M. her card.
“I know that you said you’re not ready to think about anything permanent yet, but when you are, call me. I’ll make sure you get top dollar for your house.” Mrs. M. dutifully took the card and murmured a polite thank-you. I wanted to shake my head in pity for Sophie. She wasn’t going to get a sale out of the Maxwells.