“Welcome to my humble abode,” Jim said after letting Alan into his apartment and taking his jacket to hang in the coat closet. “The lady is Callie,” he added, gesturing toward the arm chair.
The lady in question stretched, yawned, then jumped down to stroll casually over to Alan. He bent to pet her, getting a low purr in response.
“She’s lovely,” Alan said, petting her again.
“Keep that up, and she’ll be your friend for life.” An idea that Jim liked, because for it to happen meant that Alan would be around for a long time to come.
“Are you going to show me around?” Alan asked. “I’m nosy.”
“You bet. Here we have the grand salon.” Jim waved his arm to encompass the living-dining room. Off to your right is the epicurean kitchen. Here—” he opened one of the doors on the other side of the
