"In their rush to eat breakfast, Michael sloshed cereal down the front of his tee shirt. Jo Dee spilled her juice. Michele just puddled with her grits and eggs, while Brian gobbled his food like he was in a contest. "What's with you kids?" John asked impatiently. No one answered. "After you clean up the kitchen, I want someone to sweep the deck and walk, someone to feed Tideriggings and the other two to go to the store for me." "We can't," Michael blurted out. John narrowed his eyes and peered over his coffee cup at Michael's face turning red as he sunk down in his chair. The others studied the food on their plates like it was a biology assignment."