~~
Star
~~
Uncle Howard lifted me into his arms again. My uncooperative body held him in my arms while he carried me, something I most definitely would never have done on my own.
With me in his arms Uncle Howard walked toward the door with the heavy lock. For some reason, I saw the knob turn and heard the lock click with no one touching it at all. The door then swung open on its own and revealed a long, narrow, winding staircase.
While holding me close, as if I was fragile and precious, Uncle Howard carried me all the way down the stairs and into a sort of parler. The room had furniture lined up along the edges of the room, chairs, couches, tables, and bookcases. There were so many pieces of furniture that it looked like the room was crowded to begin with. But now, in place of all that furniture there was a black arch covered in black lace.
