Chapter 19A disturbing, haunting sound floated through the thin crack between the bottom of my bedroom door and its wooden sill. I lay in my bed, mostly still asleep, trying to decide if it were a dream or an unfortunate reality about to start all over again. Then, the eerie creak of the door hinges wafted across the room like smoke curling around a firepit. Only two things set my mind at ease. One, freshly brewed coffee percolated nearby. Two, Baxter leapt through the air, landing on two paws and tumbling into my face. It was time for me to jump out of bed and accept the arrival of my birthday.
“What is that infernal racket?” I shouted to no one save a dog who tilted his head and yelped. Who was making coffee in the cottage? What year was it? Why me? We weren't moving into the new house
