An Introvert's Guide for Island Domination novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Tier Two, Window Seat

The invitation came on cream card stock, delivered by a boy on the zip line.

Mayor Hargrave requests the pleasure of Warden Ostrow's company at dinner on Landing, Thursday at seven. Plus one.

Katja put it in the complaint box.

Dot took it out again and read it aloud.

"He wants the water," Dot said. "He'll feed you till you give it up. You go, you eat his food, you see what he's got, and you come home."

Katja held up a card.

NO.

"Hon, you've got three conversations a day. Spend them on him."

She lost the argument, because Dot was right.

She took Harvey as her plus one, because Harvey could talk and she could not.

He put on a clean ranger shirt and combed his hair with water, and Teddy followed them across the bridge with her camera in his bag.

The visitor center had been a gift shop. Lyle had cleared the floor, hung paper lanterns from the antler display, and set one long table with a white cloth.

A seating chart stood at the door on an easel.

Katja found her name, in calligraphy, in the second row of names.

TIER 2. WINDOW SEAT.

Harvey found his at the bottom, in smaller type.

TIER 3. KITCHEN.

"That's me," he said cheerfully. "I'll be with the potatoes."

"Warden!" Lyle came across the room with both hands out. "You look wonderful. I'd put you at a solid seven."

Katja stood very still.

"As a guest," he said. "On a scale of ten. Seven is a compliment. It's what I call my own mother."

She held up a card.

THANK YOU.

"Of course," Lyle said. "I'm giving you a six hundred point welcome credit. Please don't mention it, it's for the evening."

The dinner was roast chicken, with real gravy.

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