Chapter 517

Patty and Stephano flew down to Washington after dinner with Jemma and her dad. Jemma kept needling Patty with baseball metaphors. "You only hit a triple, with one more you could have hit for the cycle."

"Jemma get your metaphors correct. The cycle is a single, double, triple, and a home run."

"Isn't that what you're doing?

"Jemma, I still owe you for lying to me. Don't make me hit you in the restaurant."

"He made me do it. Your dad is very convincing when he wants to be. He is a very bad man."

"Darling, you have no idea how bad I can be. When you are healed, the paddles will be put away, and the real fun will begin."

"Do you see what I mean? I never know when he's joking or not."

Patty said, "Look at the twinkle in his eyes. If they are bright and shiny, you are in trouble. If they are dark and brooding, you are in real trouble."

"So what you're saying is I am in trouble all the time."

"It all depends on what you consider troubl