Chapter 13

Julian sat on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair. Patch gave a half-purr, half-meow of triumph and trotted out of the bedroom. Julian got up, went to the living room, opened the front door, and took a deep breath of the cool morning air that flowed through the screen. Then he followed Patch into the kitchen.

Evidently, at some point during the night, hunger had won out over her pride. Patch had cleaned up last night’s dinner.

“So you finally decided what I gave you was good enough, eh?” Julian asked.

Patch answered by meowing, and turning her back on him, facing her empty bowl as if to say, “Right. So I’m ready for the next course.”

Julian fed her, then decided to take a shower while she ate. Knowing if he started his own breakfast, she’d likely abandon hers once the smell of Canadian bacon filled the room.