with Belle.
“What’d ya think?” Frankie asked as the credits began to roll, smiling happily at Snod.
“It... it was beautiful,” Snod replied, wishing he was better with words to describe everything the
movie had made him feel.
“Ready for another one?” Frankie asked eagerly, already flipping back to the menu to access a new
title.
“Please,” Snod replied, making a fresh drink and sitting back, preparing himself for another
adventure.
“This one is calledAladdin,” Frankie said as he pressed play, snuggling up to Snod’s side.
Snod was surprised, but the affection was more than welcome. Frankie had been keeping his distance
since this morning, and it felt good to be close to him again. He slowly wound his arm around his
shoulders, his eyes excitedly fixed on the television screen.
‘A Whole New World’ was in its final swing when there was a desperate knock at the door.
The sound snapped Snod out of his happy daze and into action, up on his feet and ready to strike.
“Down, boy,” Frankie soothed, patting Snod’s hip as he blinked by him to the door to see who it was.
He glanced over his shoulder back at Snod, saying, “It’s Lorenzo.”
Snod made a face, plopping back down on the couch and his eyes returning to the movie. He was
grumpy at the interruption, crossing his arms firmly over his chest.
“Hey, Lorenzo!” Frankie greeted amicably as he opened the door, watching his friend stalk straight
into the kitchen with two big bags under his arms.
“We are getting wasted,” Lorenzo said, obviously upset about something. “Well, I’m going to get
wasted, and you’re going to watch.”
“What’s wrong?” Frankie asked, his brows arching up in concern.
“Leslie,” Lorenzo moaned in anguish. “He said that I’m not mature enough for him, that he needs
someone like Maxwell over in diagnostics that has big plans for his life, and...” He trailed off, finally
noticing Snod. “You’re still here.”
Snod said nothing, leaning forward to sip his drink noisily. He was buzzed enough to be pliant,
staying seated when Frankie gave him a sweet smile.
“Yes, Obe is gonna be staying with me for a little longer,” Frankie explained quickly.
Lorenzo forgot about his own troubles for a moment, grinning playfully as he teased, “Thought ya said
