Echo

think I have no more room in my heart, along comes something like Mimi.”
    “Yeah, I know what you mean. I have a weakness for her too. She’s my girl,” Jose said tenderly. He rolled onto his back, where Mimi promptly walked up the length of his body to rest on his chest where she made herself comfortable, her eyes fastened on him like a laser. Jose, in turn, watched Abby as she prepared for bed.
    “I’ve been thinking a lot lately.” Abby scrubbed her face, shouting from their Verde marble bathroom.
    “Anything interesting?”
    “I don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling restless. Any news on Peter’s efforts to locate Mama Diaz?” She moved back to the bedroom.
    “As a matter of fact, we do have news. The investigators have located them in Short Hills. I want to fly to New Jersey and bring them back with me. I won’t feel good again until I know they’re safe and sound with us. I can’t go on in the dark anymore. Not again.” At the tone of his voice, Abby let the subject drop; surprised at the oblique reference. She knew Jose didn’t like to talk about his first family. He had been very young and didn’t remember much anyway. Glancing over at him as she brushed her silken hair, she could tell his past rested heavily on his mind, his face tight and tense. His dark handsome face hid tension poorly. The only sign that he physically laid in the opulent room with her, was when he buried his face in Mimi’s fur; seeking solace. Sadly, she acknowledged, she didn’t know how to help him heal his old deep wounds.
    Trying to get his mind off his sad past, Abby slipped into their huge walk-in closet. There, she shed her modest nightgown and donned the ivory silk nightie, purchased for just the right moment. Lighting a long wax taper, she carried it into the bedroom to see Jose depositing Mimi on a raspberry upholstered vanity bench. Letting Jose take a long look, she grinned and turned off the bedroom light. Carrying the candle to the bed, Jose took it from her hand, setting it on the carved mahogany side table. Sweeping her into his arms he kissed her.
    “You are all I need right now, babe.” Holding her in his arms, he froze, then turned her around. Startled, she let him lift her nightie off her back. He ran his hand over what used to be the smooth skin of her back.
    “Does this hurt? Your changes are becoming more obvious.” Looking closer, he commented on the bony growth that thickened, flanges sprouting all over the widening surface. “Can you check my back, babe? What do you see; anything new?” Turning, Jose presented his back to her.
    “This is just way too freaky. Maybe we need to go to the authorities on this?” Looking closely, Abby could see he was farther along than her, feathers sprouting all over the flanges that actually were made of keratin. Like fingernails, rhino horn, or the framework of a bird’s wing. Soon he was not going to be safe without a jacket on over his shirt. How do you do that in a hot climate?
    “ Are you nuts, Abby? That would ruin us.” Lowering his voice, he sounded more reasonable. “They would take all the dogs and Echo away from us. They would probably separate us too. You know you can’t trust the authorities; or the government. We’re on our own. It’ll be okay, babe. No matter what happens, we have to keep a low profile. Things are just fine. Let’s not rock the boat.”
    “But how long do you think we can stay cooped up in this house?”
    “As long as we need to be.” She could hear the impatience start to build in his voice. Dropping what she realized was starting to sound like whining, she changed the subject.
    “Would you like to think about having a baby?”
    “Now? Do you think that’s a good idea?”
    “I don’t know. I guess I just want to hear that you’ll consider it; if we can find out from Echo that it’s safe.”
    “As soon as we resolve some of our loose ends, I promise I’ll highjack Barney and refuse to give him back until we get some answers from her.” Pulling her down on the bed, he blew out the candle but not before, through the wafting gray wisp of candle smoke, he caught a glimpse of her relieved smile.
    ###
    Downstairs, Scotty and Echo made big plans. The evening newscast had not gone unnoticed. Without realizing Echo’s manipulation, Scotty decided tonight held the opportunity they long waited for. When they were sure Abby and Jose turned off their bedroom lights, they raced outside the house, down to the