Case File 13 #3 by J. Scott Savage

before wheeling his bike up the driveway. As he walked into the house, Mom was standing in front of the stove. Nick sniffed the air. Despite the fact that he’d eaten less than an hour before, his stomach rumbled at the enticing aroma. “Something smells good.”
    â€œChicken Marsala,” Mom said. “It’s your dad’s favorite.”
    Nick frowned. “He’s still bummed out about the camping trip?”
    â€œYes. But don’t worry. It’s just a temporary funk. He’ll get over it in no time.”
    Upstairs a door closed and footsteps sounded on the stairs. “Don’t say I told you anything,” Mom said. “Act normal.”
    â€œSure.” Nicked dropped into a chair and quickly opened one of his textbooks. But if his dad was still depressed about the camping trip, he didn’t show it. He walked up to Nick with a big grin on his face and ruffled his hair.
    â€œHello, son. Pounding the books, huh?”
    Nick glanced at his mom, who gave him an encouraging smile. “Um, yeah. Just catching up on my math.”
    â€œGood thing.” Dad grinned. “You’re going to need it when you hear the news. I’ve decided it’s time to increase your allowance. I think doubling it seems about right. How does that sound to you?”
    â€œSounds great!” Nick said. If this was a funk, his dad could be in one all the time.
    â€œDouble?” Mom asked. “Are you sure that isn’t a little much?”
    â€œNothing is too much for my family,” Dad said, a huge grin plastered across his face.
    Nick didn’t think he’d ever seen his father this happy. It was a little creepy.
    â€œSpeaking of family,” Dad said, walking to Mom. “What are you doing slaving over ahot stove on a wonderful night like tonight?”
    Mom gave Dad the kind of uncertain smile you might give a recently released mental patient. “I’m . . . cooking.”
    â€œNonsense!” Dad pulled her away from the stove and spun her around. “Didn’t I tell you I’m taking us all out for dinner? I’m thinking that new Italian place that opened up last week.”
    Mom’s mouth dropped open, but she didn’t say a word. Nick didn’t think he’d ever seen her look so flabbergasted.
    â€œWait right here,” Dad said. “I just need to grab my keys and put on some cologne.” Before Mom could respond, he turned and raced up the stairs.
    Nick looked at his mother. “Okay, that is just about the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”
    Mom raised a hand as if she was going to say something, then lowered it and shook her head. Slowly she turned off the stove. “Grab your coat. I guess we’re going out.”
    Nick got up from the table, walked to his room, and put on his coat. He was glad his dad was feeling better. And an increase in his allowance would be great. But there was something so strange about the way his dad had been acting.
    Mom was just putting the chicken in the refrigerator when Dad came back into the kitchen. “You know,” she said with a smile, “it’s probably a good idea to go out to dinner. It’s been a while since we went to a nice restaurant.”
    As Mom shut the refrigerator door, Dad walked into the kitchen and looked at Nick, who was zipping up his coat. “Where are you going?”
    â€œOut to dinner?” Nick said. His father’s former good cheer was gone, replaced by a slightly perturbed expression.
    â€œOh,” Dad said. “Going with friends?”
    Nick had no idea how to respond to that. But his dad didn’t seem to notice. He rubbed his forehead.
    â€œAre you feeling all right?” Mom asked. “You look a little pale.”
    â€œI’m fine.” Dad looked at the stove. “What’s for dinner? Didn’t I smell something cooking?”
    Mom tilted her head. “I thought we were going