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Frank Bianchi did not attend the Fjord High School Alumni Banquet last night. Neither did Emily Dunston (Frank’s wife of going on three years). Emily, like Frank, would have been celebrating a round-number anniversary of her graduation, though not her fiftieth, but Emily’s absence is less notable than Frank’s because she grew up out east and never attended FHS.
On Saturday afternoon, when Frank mentioned he thought that some of his schoolmates might possibly stop by the house after the alumni dinner, Emily asked if any had specifically said they might. Frank replied that they had not. Emily nonetheless suggested he tidy the house and put some flowers from the yard in a vase on the dining room table.
The Bianchi-Dunstons own no pets. Therefore, Emily was somewhat surprised when she discovered a well-groomed black Pomeranian, awake and alert, panting and reposing, seemingly smiling, dead center atop the dining room table. She summoned her husband and asked for an explanation.
Frank looked puzzled. “Honey,” he said, “Didn’t you tell me to put a Pekingese there? I did the next best thing and borrowed Kai, a Pomeranian, from Tom and Mona.”
“No, no, no, Frank,” Emily patiently pronounced. “I did not mean to say Pekingese. I said you might put some peonies on the table.”
“Ohhhh,” said Frank. “Well, that’s different.” Then he scooped the dog up into his arms and shrugged, “I suppose, it could have been worse!”
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