Seven days. What an awful host I am.
This one was a little odd: I wrote the first few paragraphs about five days ago, then stopped. RealLife(TM) got a bit busy with the wife and kids getting ready for yet another vacation (without me), but even so, I saw nothing of the story. So, I waited.
Yesterday, I gave up waiting and went full-on coffee and bourbon. Wrote all but the meal scene, below. Just did that now.
This almost seems like a tangent to the plot (I’ve a plot?) but knowing now how “Defiant” ultimately ends – I think – what’s here is germane. I’ll do better tomorrow. Promise.