would have bit you.”

“ . . . worth it . . . try out Aaron.”

“Karen . . . bite you.”

Around 7:30, dinner was served. Everyone filed out of the rear foyer to the backyard and gathered at the picnic table Maria and her temporary help had set up on the patio. Craig, a gracious host, ensured everyone had plenty on their plates before he filled his own while Lisa refreshed everyone’s drinks. Once Craig took his position at the head of the table, everyone stopped talking.

Craig made a toast, “To our old friends and our lost friends!” then he looked at Aaron. “And to our new friends!”

Everybody cheered, “Hear, hear!”

Karen made sure she and Aaron sat next to Emma and Ricardo, good friends of hers and the Min...

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