Pig Fat

His coat and gloves went up on the hook and he heeled off his boots. Ma's new rules. Slippers for everyone. Wash your face and gargle before you sit to table ever since that oriental girl came for a 'home-stay' two years back.

Hardy liked the new food but wasn't about to admit it. Besides, sea-weed and bean curd was never gonna beat home-made jam and jelly and looked like there were fresh eggs and cinnamon rolls steaming under the steel warmers on the table today.

'Don't touch a thing, boy. Go get your cousin.'

Damn. Must have eyes in the back of her head. Hardy went down the long hall to the back room. Dennett was glued to CNN.

'They show the hockey scores, yet?'

Nothing. Sometimes Hardy thought about bouncing a shovel off his cousin's head just to see if he'd budge.

'Let's go, Denn. Time to eat.'