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My dad stared at Uncle James and then back at everyone standing in their skimpy fig leaf outfits. He laughed. “I’d run if I were you guys,” he said. He stepped to the side as everyone started running toward the door.

It was like a stampede. Especially because there were actual animals involved.

My dad screamed bloody murder. “Not the monkeys!” He jumped on top of the snow machine. “I hate those handsy little demons!”

One lunged at him. He caught it and tossed it onto someone’s back that was running out the door.

The rest of the monkeys fled too.

I wondered if we’d get in trouble for that...

“Scarlett Hunter,” Uncle James said. “What. The. Hell?!”

It was suddenly just me, Scar, Axel, RJ, Liam, and Natalivanka standing in the destroyed apartment. And yes, I do mean destroyed. There were dirt and leaves and squashed coffee berries everywhere. And I’m pretty sure some monkey poo.

“I...” Scarlett started.

I was not letting her take the blame for this. I stepped forward and was about to say it was all me. But Natalivanka started talking.

“My apartment,” she said. “My party.”

“This is your party?” Uncle James said as he wiped water out of his eyes.

“Yes, yes. I throw jungle party.”

Had no one told Natalivanka the actual theme?

When Uncle James was done wiping the water off his face, his eyes practically bulged out of his head.

Probably because Natalivanka was just standing there topless.

“Natalivanka, where is your shirt?” he asked.

“Furry goblin take it.”

Uncle James looked at his son.

I stifled a laugh. She’d definitely been talking about a monkey...

“Babe, let me help you,” Liam said. He stepped behind her and put his hands on her boobs.

Uncle James shook his head. “Natalivanka, are you saying that these idiots didn’t help you plan this?”

Well, that was offensive.

“No, no,” Natalivanka said. “I love tree.” She pointed to one of the coffee plants. “I love...pond.” She pointed to the pond. “I no love clothes. I love furry goblins.”

Wait. Did she not know that those were monkeys?

Uncle James shook his head. “I don’t believe that you planned all this without these five helping you. Scarlett. Liam. Sophie. RJ. Axel. You’re all grounded for the rest of the year!”

Well, if he meant the calendar year, that wasn’t so bad.

But wait... He couldn’t ground me. I turned to my dad.

My dad shook his head and subtly gave me two thumbs up. He hopped off the snow machine and patted Uncle James on the back. “Why are you all wet, bro? Did you go for a swim in the pond? Maybe go for another to chill out?”

Uncle James shoved my dad’s hand off of him. “I fell in. And why are you not freaking out? Our kids are out of control!”