Nov 20

Abby stopped half way up the walk and suddenly turned around. She quickly sprinted back to the car pulling a confused Todd behind her. They got in and she locked the doors. They sat in silence for a minute or two breathing heavily.

“Mom, what's going on? Where are we? And why are you acting so strange?”

Abby paused for a moment, trying to think of what to tell her son.

“Todd. Remember how we used to visit your grandparents? And aunts and uncles and cousins on my side of the family? You know... the ones who spoke Spanish sometimes?”

“Yeah. We haven't seen them in like forever.”

“Well, this is your aunt Talia's house.”

“Ok. What are we doing here?”

“I just thought we could maybe go visit them. Don't you think it would be nice to see them? But now I'm thinking maybe it's not such a good idea and we should just go home. Your father would be very angry if he knew we were here.”

“Why?”

“He never really got along with them. And we haven't talked to them in so long...” Abby trailed off and stared at the house. She could see Pop staring back at her. She knew that, even though his mind was going and probably no one would believe him, it was too late to turn back. He had seen her. He could probably see Todd too.

Pop pointed out the window, “Abby estas aqui,” he repeated. This time she was still sitting in the driveway when the rest of the family looked out the window. They all gaped and were for once speechless. The cougar slowly backed toward the door, beer still in hand. She was hoping to get out before the dramatic family scene commenced. Luckily, no one saw her and she was able to escape back to the sanctuary of her own home.

It was now a staring contest. Abby and Todd stared from the car. They could see all of the various family members peering out different windows. They may have remained in this state forever had it not been for Izzy's dragonness. She ran to the front door, threw it open and shouted across the yard.

“Abby, Todd, get in here for heaven's sake!”

Abby glanced at Todd and hesitantly got out of the car and walked again to the front door. This time making it all the way inside the house.