My father interrupts him with a laugh。 “Well； that explains a lot； doesn't it！”
“Explains…a lot？” my grandfather asks。 Quietly。 Calmly。
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“Sure！ It explains why those people are the way they are … ！” He grins around the table at us。
“Must run in the family。”
Everyone looks at him。 Lyta's jaw drops； and for once she's speechless。 My mother says；
“Rick！” but all my father can do is laugh a nervous
kind of laugh and say； “It was just a joke！ I mean； obviously something's wrong with those
people。 Oh； excuse me； Chet。 I forgot。 The girl reminds
you of Renée。”
“Rick！” my mother says again； only this time she's mad。
“Oh； Patsy； please。 Your father's being overly dramatic； trying to make me feel bad for
criticizing our neighbors because there's a retarded
relative someplace。 Other people have family troubles and still manage to mow their lawn。
They should have a little pride in ownership； for cryin' out
loud！”
My grandfather's cheeks are seriously flushed； but his voice is rock…steady as he says； “They
don't own that house； Rick。 The landlord is
supposed to maintain the premises； but he doesn't。 And since Juli's father is responsible for
his brother； all their reserves go to his care； and
obviously it doesn't e cheap。”
Very quietly my mom asks； “Don't they have government facilities for that kind of thing？”
“I don't