In a very natural reaction to being jerked around over the price of the house, Bob and Ellen had not been happy with Mike. Ellen had been getting angr... at what she viewed as unbridled greed. Bob had been hurt at the idea that his friendship was worth nothing. He and Ellen had been blown away when the real estate agent had come over and announced that Mike had accepted their first offer. That had restored Bob’s faith in his friend, particularly when the agent had revealed that Mike had known. She wanted to prepare by herself, which illustrated how much they were drifting apart.Last year, he never studied and she knew not to depend on him. Now when he offered, she immediately shut him down. James decided he was too busy for all of the drama. He had the summer to try and reconnect with Amanda. He’d hoped the computer would be seen as a peace offering, but the benefit was fleeting. Looking back, he realized that she reveled in being the “good” twin and was now a little resentful that. The scent of tangy floral notes filled the air and she struggled to deal with the sensation that something wasn't quite right.The old gramophone in the corner played the familiar notes of the waltz and Eleanor found herself floating, listening with remembered pleasure. It had been a long time since she had heard the music. She was more used to the grating sounds of dance music and hip hop blasting out of the kitchen these days.The sound of her name being called softly startled her once again.. ”I smiled as I told him, “I’m not one of them, even if I am over them. My boarding school required us to clean after the meals and do all other manners of tasks the servants at the other boy’s homes normally did. I have a much higher respect for the staff who care for me than I do for my peers.”Seeing he wasn’t going to win this battle, he thanked me and asked me to tell him if there was anything I needed.“There is, one thing, providing the services are available. Those in my sleeping.