Winona was completely at a loss, standing frozen, not sure what to say or do. “…”
Keaton broke the silence, “Your mom just scared the crap out of me. Are you done with the haircut?”
Winona pressed her lips together, searching for words, when suddenly Janelle’s voice drifted in from the hallway.
“Hi, Mrs. Newsom, sorry to barge in. I just wanted to check on Winona.”
Caroline replied warmly, “Oh, you’re not bothering us at all! Come in, come in! You really didn’t need to bring all these gifts, though. Ridley, Mr. and Mrs. Huber are here!”
Ridley called out from the kitchen, “Coming, coming! Sorry, I got caught up with dinner prep. Please, come on in, make yourselves at home.”
Richard, ever the gentleman, said, “Please don’t be so formal. We’re just here to apologize—Winona got caught up in something because of our son.”
Ridley waved it off, “Winona’s just fine. Sorry you had to make the trip. Have a seat, let me get you some coffee.”
Caroline added, “I’ll go call Winona down.”
Janelle smiled, “No need, really. Let her rest. I’ll just pop up and check on her.”
The parents were all so courteous and friendly, it felt a little like a Thanksgiving get-together.
Meanwhile, inside Winona’s room, she and Keaton both looked at each other, eyes wide, totally shocked.
They hadn’t expected Janelle and Richard to show up out of the blue.
Seconds later, there was a knock at the door!
Caroline called, “Winona, Janelle and Mr. Huber are here to see you.”
Janelle called out, “Winona, are you resting?”
Winona and Keaton both panicked. One yanked a chair, the other jumped off the bed—they both scrambled for the door.
The chair screeched across the floor, and Winona thudded to the ground as she hopped off the bed.
Neither of them cared about the noise—they were just desperate to get to the door. In their hurry, Keaton bumped into Winona, and she accidentally stepped on his foot.
They both winced in pain, but no way were they making a sound.
Caroline asked, “Winona, what was that noise?”

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