Danny was on his best behavior. It was almost painful to watch.
Carly couldn't tell if she was supposed to notice and appreciate his self-control, or if she was just supposed to think that somehow he'd suddenly become more mature, but in either case she resented the way everything he said (and didn't say) seemed to imply some horrible evil in herself. Why would he be so tense and cautious, clearly checking everything that came out of his mouth, unless she was truly terrifying? She wished he'd get angry, explode, accuse her of something, so she could at least defend herself. But no accusations were going to be made here tonight, she knew, at least not verbally.
"So," he asked, "where have you been staying?" which was the question she'd been expecting every time he'd opened his mouth.
"Oh, around," she replied. As she said it, she realized how it sounded, as though she was hiding from him, afraid he was going to start stalking her or something. She cursed herself silently, angry that she'd anticipated the question so many times but hadn't bothered to prepare a decent answer.
He nodded, and another long silence ensued.
The only enjoyable part of the evening was when Danny
pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and said, "Uncle Mike
just added a new rule." He tossed the piece of paper across to
her and she picked it up.
Rules for An Orderly Neighborhood
and therefore the innocent should be willing to give any or all of these at any time, at the request of a police officer or any other representative of the government.
Carly looked up with an expression of horror and
disbelief. "This is a joke, isn't it?"
Danny shrugged, then he grinned. "Of course it is. It really does look like a real Uncle Mike list, though, doesn't it?"
Other than that, there were awkward periods of silence occasionally interrupted by awkward conversation. And eventually even the fake Uncle Mike list was spoiled for Carly because she started to wonder how carefully and for how long Danny had saved it for just the right moment during this dinner.