Michael couldn’t help but feel a twinge of amusement. Straight to the point as always.

His sister wasn’t one for small talk, anyway.

“Kenny’s birthday is coming up next week, right?” he said. “I can’t be present on that day since I have an important business trip, but I’d like to come by two days early and bring him a present. That is, if it’s all right with you.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Michael could almost hear the internal debate that was probably going on right now inside of his sister’s head.

Finally, Joanna sighed.

“All right. Come by around noon. I’ll...