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Or maybe we can get you one and bring it by tonight?
Oh, would you? I'll pay you back the money. Claude sighed. You know, this broken arm and
Marnie's leg are no fun, but meeting you two is one of the best things that's happened all month. Maybe
all year. Are you sure you want to hang around an old has-been magician?
Sure, Lisa said, before she could stop to think. It's cool. I like your cats. And your stories.
Me too, Zeke added.
I just wish Marnie hadn't had to get hurt to do it. And I wish I knew how she got out. I swear the
house was closed up tight. This is the second time in the last two weeks. I had to fetch Esther from a
neighbor's vegetable garden last time.
Would you like us to check the windows before we go? Zeke offered. Make sure nothing is
open?
Well, I did that last night when I got back home, but I was a bit out of it. Sure, that might be good.
Fresh eyes and all. Just excuse the mess.
Zeke leaned over the sink to test and tug on the window, which seemed solid. That one's okay. Do
you want to follow us around?
Claude waved a hand. I'm a bit tired, actually. You two go ahead.
Zeke led the way into the hall, and they checked the living room windows locked and the
bedroom open but with solid screens neither of them could budge. There was a second bedroom, and
a spare room full of books. Both were well secured. Lisa turned back into the hall, and found a
mudroom, leading to the back door. The door was both locked and dead-bolted. She turned to the little
window next to it and yelped in surprise, as it canted open enough for a small hairy hand to reach in
and tweak her nose. What the fuck!
Zeke leaped to see, jostling her, and then laughed and pointed. It's a monkey!
The window clicked shut and the little brown monkey scampered across the lawn, shinnied up a
downspout and disappeared in through a second floor window of the house across Claude's garden.
Lisa rubbed her nose, and laughed. It's Mr. Pebbles.
Who?
That lady's pet. The mudroom window moved when Lisa pressed on it. She tugged it firmly shut
and tried to lock it. The latch was stiff and barely moved.
Zeke took a turn wrestling with it, then said, I'll ask if Claude has some kind of grease.
Before he could go ask, Claude hurried in, clutching his bad arm against his chest. You screamed.
I yelped, Lisa said, trying to sound dignified. You would too, if someone grabbed your nose.
If who what? Claude glared at Zeke. Were you manhandling the lady?
What? No! Anyway, she's not a... He stopped at the glare he got from both of them. Sorry.
I should think so. Claude tilted his head. Are you two, um, boyfriends then?
Lisa choked. This old guy never quit.
Zeke said, No. We're not.
In the helpless spirit of full disclosure she was in, Lisa said, I don't think either of us is butch
enough for the other. Now Derek Robertson...
Zeke made a little Mmmm sound, and then blushed. You've got a shot, you know. With Derek. I've
seen him watching you.
Really? Lisa sucked in a breath. Derek had come to her rescue twice now, but she hadn't dared
think anything of it...
Yeah. I'm so jealous, you bitch.
Claude demanded, Wait. I don't get it. Why did Zeke grab your nose then?
Lisa was jolted out of thoughts of Derek Robertson's broad shoulders. He didn't. It was... A
motion caught Lisa's eye, and she stopped and pointed. Look.
Across the back yard, that second floor window opened again slightly. The monkey's lithe form
slipped out, and back down the drain pipe. Halfway across the lawn the monkey looked up and caught
sight of them watching him through the window. With a sudden jump, it whirled around and bolted
back up to its refuge.
Claude laughed. That grabbed you?
Lisa pushed on the frame and stuck a finger through the opened window in answer.
Oh heavens. That little brat let my cats out!
Looks like it, Zeke said. Do you have some lube? I mean grease, lubricant, like oil? He was
blushing again. If I oil up this bolt, maybe it will slide all the way into the frame again and then the
monkey won't be able to jiggle it loose anymore.
Kitchen drawer next to the stove.
When Zeke hurried out, Claude looked at Lisa. You sure you don't want that boy? He's got a good
heart.
I don't think he'll want me, she said, a bit heavily. Not once I get where I'm going.
Oh, well. Claude gave her a little pat on the back. You'll find somebody. I never wanted the drag
queens that way either. But they were excellent friends, and friends are a good thing.
Yes, Lisa agreed wholeheartedly. Something soft brushed her arm and she grabbed Lottie before
the little cat could reach the window, holding onto her as gently as she could. Lottie turned in her arms
and purred, willing to exchange a shot at freedom for a cuddle. Lisa rubbed her slightly-stubbled jaw
against the soft cat, and closed her eyes. She felt really relaxed for the first time in a long time. She
murmured, Friends are excellent.
####
Variations
~Picture prompt: Two boys lie sprawled on their stomachs, side by side on a bed, dressed in T-
shirts, jeans and socks. They're each propped up on their elbows, in front of a big bedroom window.
The lighter-haired boy has his leg draped possessively over the back of the other boy's thighs as he
gazes at him, but the dark-haired boy's attention seems focused through that window into the brightly-
lit space beyond.
~ Spencer ~
Mitch was lying on my bed staring out the window, like there might be answers outside the glass.
Well, I guess there could have been, but as of right freaking now there was a completely silent street
and a lot of sunshine, and he'd been staring at it for half an hour. And I'd been staring at him.
Mitch is worth looking at. He's got this dark hair that drives him crazy 'cause it won't lie right, even
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