Echo

the sofa, Echo joined Barney on the floor, where she stood by his side like a faithful soldier.
    “I don’t think we need to be alarmed. Echo is not the one to worry about. Scotty, please be extra careful. We think Armoni and Tomas are spying on us. When they start to see the activity involved in getting us out of here, it might encourage them to pull something. As soon as we get our hands on the money from our first sale, I would like to consider hiring an armed guard to be stationed here at the house and one to accompany us on our errands. Abby, what do you think?”
    “If you think so, Jose. Scotty does seem awfully vulnerable here alone at the house. And I shudder to think what they might do to Echo if they should find her.” Their minds flashed with a quick aura.
    “Sister, you can count on me. No bad men will hurt you.” Abby looked at Echo and slid down on the floor to take her in her arms. Abby rained kisses on Echo’s face.
    “Sweetie, I love your optimism and your generosity. But this beautiful world of our can be an ugly place sometimes and we need to protect you.” Auras immediately brightened.
    “Sister, you are so wise. I am glad you understand. We will work together .” Abby looked at Scotty and Jose with raised quizzically eyebrows. Ruefully she shook her head, kissed Echo one further time and announced she felt like pancakes for dinner; any takers?
    Dinner was a fun riotous affair. They’d been so busy lately that they forgot to take time to relax and be silly. To be young, instead of responsible adults forced to handle such a bizarre situation. They did find the desire to eat diminished, not as stimulating as before their change. But Barney made up for it; a true bottomless pit. Echo insisted Barney have a chair for himself so he could sit at the table. She dragged a chair to the table and tried to lift Barney up, tugging and pushing while Barney just turned to watch. They decided Echo would have better luck trying to pull a kitten off a sardine truck than getting the fat boy up on a chair. What a pair. They sure brought all of the laughter into the house.
    The three of them discussed their plans for tomorrow. They decided Scotty would go with Jose this time so he could meet Peter when Jose stopped by his office to review the contracts and answer a few more questions. They hoped Peter would have some kind of a timetable for them so they could plan their move.
    One of the most important things they must do was secure the gold and the diamond rocks. They decided that half of the diamonds should go a large safety deposit box in Manhattan; especially the largest of the stones. The balance should be delivered to them in Sarasota with some of the gold. Peter, himself would secure most of the gold in storage somewhere in Manhattan where it would be centrally located for buyers.
    Once they agreed on the schedule for the next day, Scotty pulled out his list of demands for the new house. Of course it included every electronic device known to man. Abby ruffled his hair, laughing.
    “Make sure you put a tutor on your list. You’re special, but not special enough to miss your studies. This reprieve for you won’t last forever.”
    “I don’t need to finish school, we’re rich now. I can do what I want.” Abby turned, giving Scotty the stink eye.
    “I’m very sorry to hear you talk like that, Scotty. You sound like a spoiled brat and we don’t have a dollar of the money in our hands yet. I suggest you change your tune, right now. Mom would be ashamed of you.”
    “Gee, Abby, relax. Can’t a guy dream a little without you getting in a twit?”
    Abby cleared the table, Jose jumping up to help her. She put an arm around his shoulder, guiding him back to his chair and absentmindedly kissed him on his head. Downing a glass of water, he let out a big burp, ducked the towel Abby threw at him and went off to bed.
    Saying good night, Abby decided to get some sleep herself.
    ###
    After washing up, Abby sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing her spine and lower back. The area now ached full time. As she pressed down, she could feel tender swelling. She knew what it meant. She felt nervous, yet excited. Neither Scotty nor Jose fully displayed their tails but what she saw of them was magnificent. But this sure would be easier for her if she could talk to her mama.
    Sometimes she felt a breakdown awaited her. Between the stress of all of the life changes they planned to make and the inability to fully morn