Echo

This is not how we planned this, Echo, so let me handle it. Abby … look at me.” She stared blankly into his eyes, as if he wasn’t there.
    “Abby.” Jose shook her. “How do you feel?” He spoke more softly, an expectant smile on his face.
    “I feel perfectly fine, thank you.” She still looked confused and frightened. Slowly, the significance of her words sank in. Jose grabbed her, lifting her off her feet in a hug, a happy tear tracing down his face.
    “You’re healed, Abby. It is a gift from Echo.” Scotty jumped up, joining them in a hug. Barney flopped off the sofa, dumping Echo off. His joyful barking added to the celebration. And then little Echo righted herself, wobbling her way over to the huddle, trying to squeeze her way in. Joyfully, Scotty grabbed Echo and tossed her in the air, catching her in a bear hug. And all Abby could do was sit back down dumbly on the floor.
    When the laughter settled down and everyone sobered up, they gathered around their cheap kitchen table to talk. There was so much to talk about; so much to explain to Abby.
    Lifting Echo up on to the table, Jose stroked her golden head. “You’re amazing, girl.”
    Echo’s gleaming antlers reflected light from the ceiling fixture making them sparkle like crystal. Scotty wondered when Echo might trust them enough to tell them more of her history. And this mystery mission she was on. But Echo was not the kind of creature you could ask questions to, head on. Sometimes, speaking to Echo was like speaking to a child. They were on different wavelengths. Maybe Abby could do better over time. Females bonded differently; maybe it would make a difference.
    “Ok, saving the nastiest for first, I would like to explain the problem with Tomas. Abby, Tomas has this thing for you. He’s had it since we were kids. I don’t think his relationship with Kelly is much more than a convenience. The real relationship is with Kelly’s oddball brother, Armoni. A real nasty S.O.B, Armoni has Tomas under his thumb. Kelly is just cover. They use each other for kicks. She is meant to keep an eye on Tomas for Armoni.”
    “What does that have to do with me? Since when does he have this so called thing? ” Abby asked with complete mystification. Jose squirmed. Scotty knew the next part would not be easy for Jose to explain.
    “Well, uh, Tomas has always had a problem with me; a little jealousy thing. I guess it started with his mama’s attention to me when I was first adopted. We were just children. As we grew, I noticed he always had to have whatever I was interested in.”
    “But Jose, I still don’t see what this has to do with me. How do you explain his behavior?” Jose flushed, his fine dark features, beet red. Abby looked from Scotty to Jose, perplexed. Suddenly a golden aura flashed into their minds, a whisper infusing their consciousness.
    “Sister, I think Brother Jose wants to mate with you.”
    “Ewe,” laughed Scotty.
    “Damn, Echo!” Jose said pounding his fist on the table. “It’s not like that at all, Abby, I mean—, Scotty, help me out here.”
    “I know nothing.” Scotty could not contain his laughter. Jose jumped up from the table, pacing nervously. “Maybe we can talk, you and I, and uh, gee Echo, sometimes you have to think before you speak. Abby can we discuss this later?” Jose loudly swallowed his begging voice, embarrassment plastered like a short circuiting neon sign on his face. Abby put her hand out, drawing him to the table, her expression unreadable.
    “Jose, please sit down. The Tomas issue is not important right now. I think you know it’s time to answer my questions.”
    “Ok, yes, saving the best, the very, very best for last.” Jose exhaled with relief. Grabbing Scotty, goofing at him like a fool, he clapped him on the back sharing a macho moment of male bonding. Taking Echo and sitting her on the table, again Jose shook his head.
    “I can’t believe we were able to keep this secret for so many years.”
    “What secret? Who’s we? Come on, what the heck is going on? I’m too tired for games guys.”
    “Scotty, make sure the drapes are all shut for me, just in case.”
    “In case of what? Come on now guys, this is all weird enough without you trying to scare me.”
    “It’s not about pumping the story,” Scotty said, getting up, “It’s about being safe.”
    “Yeah, Abby, what we’re going to tell you is going to sound unbelievable. More unbelievable than what’s already happened