Seven people waited for Winston and Gramps' family in the front room. 

     Bob was one of them.

​     "Hey Bob," Gramps said.

     "My name is Fred."

     "You could have said that before."

     Fred replied with a grimace that was a mixture of anger, resentment, and the sort of twisted glee that could only derive from thoughts of sweet revenge. 

     "I think we need to talk," a taller, older woman said. 

​     "Not the best time," Winston replied.

     "What happened with Fred is unacceptable."

     "In general, I couldn't agree more, Althea."

     "It runs contrary to everything we stand for. Botanicals bring with them the possibility of the next evolutionary step for all humankind."

     "We're leaving," Gramps said to Abby. He turned to Alison. "You're coming with us."

​     "Don't I get a say?" Alison replied. 

     "We're all leaving," Winston said. 

     "Not until the police get here," Althea said.

​     Winston sighed. "You've already called them."

     "If these people are who we think they are..."

     "Who we know they are," Fred interjected. 

     "...then we'd be arrested if we didn't contact the authorities immediately. You've put us in a terrible position, Winston, both you and Patty have."

     "Come on." Gramps went to the front door with Winston, Abby, and Alison following behind.

     No one tried to physically stop them. 

​     Althea went to say something, but then she stopped. 

     Winston was the last to leave. He bowed at the door.

     "It's been a pleasure, my friends," he said, "but now I'm afraid Patty and I must take our leave."

     His final words:

     "Good-bye, Althea," he said, "And allow me to say, and this is from the bottom of my heart. I have never liked you." 

                                                     CONTINUE