Echo

least things remained under his control and Ginger Mae still belonged to him. His plan remained intact, with a minor adjustment for the kid. Relieved, he turned his full attention to her breasts, biting down hard enough to hear her muffle a scream. He still needed to remind her who wore the pants. Looking into her bewitching face, he saw it tighten, her eyes flashing an obvious, ill-concealed flash of contempt. The perpetually obtuse Armoni, mistaking it for passion, excitedly bit down hard again, feeling like he died and went to heaven.

Chapter 25
    Abby and Jose sat in green and white striped lounge chairs on the flagstone terrace above their natural rock waterfall where they could observe Scotty, happily tossing Echo into the shallow end of the pool. Barney chaotically lunged at the water, jumping back, not sure of the rules of the new game. Changes came fast for the family in the five months since they left Sussex County and moved to Mango Lane, their opulent new home, an unimaginable paradise.
    They installed Peter in the 4,400 square foot custom, red tile roof Spanish style waterfront home next door to the right. The lemon yellow art deco gem to their left remained empty, although fully furnished. They hoped Mama Diaz, Bonny and Emma would join them soon. The house would knock their socks off. Abby, Scotty and Jose occupied the 6,800 square foot Tuscan olive Mediterranean dream in the middle with lush landscaping, reminiscent of the famous Selby Gardens in downtown Sarasota; over 150 palm trees of eight varieties, lush plumeria and giant jungle geranium. Fortunately, because they were on a tiny island, less than half a mile wide, they luckily saved themselves the unpleasant experience of dealing with the tropical snakes that habitually nested in palm trees. The trees and vibrant flowering bushes encompassed the whole property, including across the bay front of the lot. The people that built the home sure valued their privacy. The home became a true sanctuary for the beleaguered family.
    One of the lovely surprises of the island delighted them all as they enjoyed the presence of a flock of Sand Hill cranes, the most comically amazing birds. Some of the cranes grew as much as five feet tall with vibrant red caps of feathers on their heads. They imperiously strolled the sidewalks, the streets and the front yards as they pleased. Promenading in pairs or threesomes, they never hurried, they never acknowledged, they never acquiesced. They clearly owned the small island.
    Jose stretched in the sun, admiring Abby’s tawny tail as it switched languidly behind her lounge chair. Her hair long and lush, full of golden silk hairs first discovered the wondrous night that united them. Their exposure in public now seemed a dangerous adventure as they just plain glowed too much. The three of them were now covered with an exceedingly fine layer of golden fuzz from the neck down. From the distance, it looked like skin, but they found themselves unable to avoid the stares that accompanied close inspection from strangers. All three developed protrusions on each side of their shoulder blades. Comparing their changes with Echo’s physiology, they suspected the emergence of wings. The idea thrilled them, but would they work? Would it mean flight? Echo’s wings may have functioned at one time. They lay lifeless against her furry little back. When asked about the wings, Echo would only reply, she was not an Elder.
    Surprisingly, Echo began to pester them with the surprising desire to increase the size of their family; their doggy family. She claimed Barney was lonesome and needed a mate. That’s how it started. Poor Peter. He became the official furry buddy locator. To his credit he never complained. Even as Penny, their new Springer Spaniel, vomited on the front seat of his new BMW. Poor baby got car sick all over Peter’s leather upholstery.
    Penny behaved like a doll, liver and white with flowing feather like fur. Loves people, tolerates other dogs, though exhibited an above it all attitude when it came to doggy/Echo horseplay. The next addition was Mimi, a black and white Shih Tzu, puppy mill mommy. All used up and ready to throw away, luckily, rescued by a devoted group of women committed to the effort. Peter spotted her at the local pet food store, mistaking her for a skunk until she turned her sweet face around. He couldn’t resist. Poor Mimi, unfortunately afflicted with cataracts, mammary tumors and food aggression … it