CH 130 — Old Friends and New Beginnings
After being isolated for so long, it was a delight to be surrounded by friends again. Even Pickles, her greatest adversary, ran up to greet Zelamir with little dog kisses. “Ugh, get off me, you foul brute,” she cried, laughing as she struggled to fight him off.
Pickles, tail flickering at breakneck speed, gave Zelamir one last poke with his cold, damp nose. “Ah, there’s the Zelamir we all know and love!”
After Pickles had his say, the others flooded in—minus the gratuitous show of affection, thank goodness! She almost didn’t recognize Meike, who had traded their fluffy brown fro for pink dreads, and looked leaner. Life on the road had that effect on you. Cass and Teddy looked just as worn, but she suspected the boy had grown a few inches since she last saw him. His voice was lower, too.
“Where’s your bird? The heron?”
Cass gave Zelamir’s hand a warm squeeze. “Jasper is around here somewhere, enjoying the warm weather, I’m sure.”
“It has been unseasonably warm, hasn’t it?” They shared a laugh, everyone but Meike joining in. “Please, get comfortable. We’ve got plenty of food and drink to spare, if you’ve got the time!”
