I opened one of the apps and navigated to a show that was getting a lot of buzz online. It was a remake, this time starring an older version of a fan favorite character. I settled in to see what troubles one sarcastic teen could get into while investigating the murder spree taking place at her new school academy.
“You’re a fan of this show, too?” Deborah asked, resting her butt on the very end of the couch. “What episode on are you on?”
“Three. You?”
“I’ve seen all of it.”
“Do you want to pick a different one?” I asked, holding out the remote.
Deborah shook her head. “No need. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.”
I started the episode from the beginning and hit play.
Deborah started to relax a third of the way through. By the time the halfway point came, she’d found a comfortable spot and snagged a pillow to hug against her chest.
We watched two more episodes like that before her yawns got the best of her.
She waited until the end of the current one before rising and stretching. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to head up.”
I paused the credits. “Have a good night.”
“You too, Aileen.”
She yawned again, stumbling toward her suitcases and grabbing two of them before heading up the stairs.
I tossed the remote on the marble coffee table and flopped onto my side, stretching my legs out on the couch until I was fully reclined.
What a long night.
I listened to Deborah moving around upstairs as she got settled. Letting my thoughts wander, I soaked in the quiet atmosphere. It was nice to have no place to be for once. If I wanted, I could lay here all night before finding my bed come day. What a life.
Gradually, I became aware of Connor sitting on the arm of the couch next to my head.
“Find any termites?”
He shook his head.
“Does this mean you’ll stop knocking on the walls?” I asked.
“For now.”
One corner of his lips tilted up at my snicker.
He changed the subject. “What happened to the human?”
“You mean Deborah?”
He inclined his chin.
“She went to bed,” I answered. “Are you planning to continue referring to her as ‘the human’?”
“It’s best to keep her on her toes,” Connor explained. “You’re kind enough for the both of us. My easy acceptance of her presence might lead her to think it’s okay if she oversteps.”
“And we wouldn’t want that,” I said in a dry voice.
“No, we wouldn’t,” Connor agreed. “I want this to go well. I know how difficult it is for you to see a human as food.”
I studied him quietly, reading the sincerity on his face.
