It was nearly time for her children to come home, so Sally carefully stored the Medallion in a bakery tin on her shelf and began fixing dinner.
Soon her 16-year-old son, Jacob, and her 15-year-old daughter, Emily, came in the door one after another, each slamming the door loudly. They were already bickering.
"Shut up about my boyfriend, Jake!" screeched Emily.
"What's he going to do -- beat me up with those pencils he calls arms?" teased Jake.
"Shut up. Shut UP!" Emily shouted. "Peter is a sweet guy."
"Awwww," said Jake, imitating his sister's girlish voice. "So sweeeeet!"
Sally's head pounded from the door-slamming and yelling, but she felt placid as she stirred the pasta for the evening meal. She knew just what she was going to do.
