SYNCHRONICITY (Dream Walker) 🖋

Diane

Sebastian stumbled in through the kitchen door to find Alison still waiting up for him. The dogs each raised their heads to look at him, their collective gazes silently informing him that he was in trouble.

He sat at the kitchen table while she typed away on her computer. "Hey Babe," he said in a low voice.

"Hey," she replied. "You have fun?"

"Was different...can't remember when I'd had a guys' night that didn't involve work or Topher. Was a bit odd. Didn't like it. I mean, the talk was nice...the no Topher wasn't."

Alison finished up her entry and turned around in the swivel seat and smiled at him with sympathy.

"How's Lizzie Borden?"

Alison really did try to fight the grin..."please don't call her that...it's not nice."

"Never claimed to be a nice man."

Alison rolled her eyes and turned to face her computer screen again.

"What are you working on," he asked.

"Things to do list."

Sebastian rose from his seat and stumbled around the table causing one of the dogs to grumble at him; Sebastian stared at him. "Right back to ya, mate." He read over her shoulder at the first entry: CATS. "What about the cats?"

"The barn cats. They're going to need homes," she replied.

"I assumed you were bringing them along?"

"I don't know if they'll all survive the trip and then...I really don't know if they'd survive the desert..." She shook her head. "Plus, that's some fifteen outdoor cats, Bastian, plus the four upstairs. Can you honestly say that you wouldn't mind some twenty cats..."

Sebastian nodded his head. "A shelter would probably put them down..."

She nodded and then lowered her head.

"You think Mark and Suzy will take some of them?"

"Well, I'm sure some of them already hang out over there. I'll call them tomorrow. I also have to price a new trailer."

Behind them, the door opened and Debbie walked from the living room where she was sleeping on the sofa. "Hello Sebastian," she said.

The man's face registered no surprise, but Alison heard it in his voice. "Debbie...I hope we didn't wake you?"

She shook her head. "No." She smiled and he nearly bent in half to kiss her cheek. "I was awake. I'd like to talk to you two if I may," she said.

He looked toward Alison. "Of course."

She looked toward her daughter. "Do you have any tea?"

"I have all kinds of teas. What's your pleasure," Alison replied happily. "I have loose teas, tea bags, non caffeine, herbals..."

"Oh! Earl Gray?"

Alison nodded. "I have that, but it's liable to keep you up..."

The older woman nodded. "Oh yes, of course."

"I have a lovely spiced chai tea that I absolutely love...it's decaf...want to try that? It's really nice before bedtime..."

Debbie smiled and nodded her head. "If you're going to have a cup, sure!"

"Wasn't going to, but I suppose I could?" She looked to Sebastian, who declined. "Water for you, hon?"

He smiled and nodded. "And a bottle of headache tablets..."