Part 33 (1/2)
”Okay,” she said in a small voice.
”Don't beat yourself up over it.”
”I keep wondering what else I'm going to do.”
”Nothing!” An idea struck him, and he walked across the kitchen. ”You can find out more about our world from television.”
”What is it?”
”Moving pictures that companies send through the air.”
She gave him a doubtful look.
”Sit down.”
”Why?”
”It might startle you. Some people are startled because it's so bad.” He laughed.
”That's a joke I don't get,” she said, as she dropped into the nearest chair.
”You will. But maybe not right away.”
He picked up a remote and pointed it toward the small television on the kitchen counter.
When the picture sprang to life, Rinna gasped.
”It's okay. It's normal here.” He peered at the screen. It was an MTV video.
”What are they doing?”
”Dancing. I hope. Let me find you something you'll like better.”
He pushed the up b.u.t.ton on the remote and found a decorating show where a designer had swooped into a couple's life to resolve the differences between her taste and his.
Rinna stared at the picture as though he'd opened up a window into another universe, which, in a way, he had.
She looked from the screen to the device in his hand.
”What's that?”
”A remote. Or as my nephew calls it, a turner. It changes the channel. Changes the sound level.” He demonstrated, then put the remote on the coffee table. ”I'll be back. I need to get some stuff.”
He wanted to sleep downstairs, in case they had to make a quick getaway, so he went to gather blankets, which he spread out in the family room.
When he came back, he saw that Rinna had changed the channel.
Now her breath was shallow as she watched a drama. Moving closer, he saw that it was a cop show, with a hostage situation.
”s.h.i.+t!”