The feast was over. Six stomachs full, four soldiers fully revitalized. Then came the time for dessert, and this was the point when the otherwise jolly mood - even Danny had softened up somewhat - took a gloomy turn.
During the dinner, even when oyster shells flew across the table and almost hit the Emperor on the face, Joey managed to catch them every time with the expertise of a catcher who learned to expect his pitcher's erratic throws.
Micky was lively and cordial, doing his job to keep the conversation flowing and even make stoic-looking Dad smile occasionally. His recounting of Joey's turtle-slide into the elevator was a big hit in particular, except for the poor young man who felt ashamed to have fallen to the level of his sister.
However, every smile in the room died when Misha stood up and announced.
"I've prepared some dessert."
