Truly’s ears rose with the screech of wood against linoleum. Ethan, my uncle, and I dashed to the window. “Who is that?” Uncle Roy asked. “Bigfoot?” “That, Uncle Roy, is my gorilla friend.” He or she melted into the shadows. Aunt Eunice stomped to the phone. “I’m calling Joe. A person can’t get any peace around here, what with Bigfoot, gorillas, elephants, and lions.” I couldn’t help but add, “Oh my.” “It’s all just scare tactics,” Ethan stated. “It’s the same as my students at school. They square off with someone, jerk their body or head at them, have a stare-down contest. Whatever they think it will take to intimidate the other person.” “You don’t think I should be worried?” I let the curtain fall back into place. “I think you should be very worried. That’s why I’ll be camping out on the sofa.” Ethan glared at Uncle Roy, daring him to argue. I giggled. Last summer the two men had a standoff when Ethan brought in a sleeping bag and spent the night in the front room.
