The cunt-scented candles added an erotic ambience to the dinner, at least in Mat’s mind. He was pleased that Laura, having read his erotic tale of Nils and Emma and her grandmother’s candles, had agreed to do the flavoring, and that had been fun and decidedly sexy. Their dinner guests, Paul and Kira, hadn’t made mention of the sexual fragrance, likely because it was too subtle for their pedestrian noses, Mat joked to himself. He sure wasn’t going to mention anything. And Laura’s apple and cinnamon sauced pork roast probably masked the more intimate aroma imparted by the burning candles.

Over dessert, Kira’s pumpkin pie, Kira asked Mat how the children’s story collection was coming along. “I try to add one new one each day,” Mat told her. I hope to get to one hundred before Easter.

“How many days till Easter?” Paul asked.

“You can ask your cellphone,” Laura said. “Cellphones know everything.” For Christmas Paul and Kira had given each other smartphones, but they were shy about using them for anything but telephone calls. Laura showed Paul how to do it. “Just say ‘Hey Google’ and ask your question.”