Chapter Twenty-five
“What’s this? Are we going to your house?” I asked as we drove west through Pacific Beach past Ingraham Street.
“Surprise! I’m making you dinner.”
When we arrived, I was delighted to see her house was cleaner than when I had cat-sit. The stacks of papers and magazines were mostly gone. MayMay brushed against my legs and I patted her furry head. I went to the cupboard for the kibble. Maelstrom meowed nonstop at full volume until I set the food bowl on the floor. The floor was clean. The countertops were clean. Four kitchen chairs were arranged neatly around the table. Centered on top of an old placemat was a straw basket filled with pinecones.
“Been reading San Diego Home and Garden?” I queried.
“And I thought you’d approve,” Marly replied, feigning hurt.
“Oh, I do
