When Noah returned home two hours later, he felt no better than when he left, and his blood-crusted knuckles on his right hand didn't feel at all better.
He found Emily sitting on the sofa dressed in yoga pants and an oversized tee shirt. Hector perched on her extended leg preening himself. Such a beautiful sight, until his gaze caught the bruises on her cheekbones.
"I see you and Hector are reacquainted." Noah dropped his keys on the small table in the foyer and went to join her on the sofa.
"We’re lifelong buddies I suppose. Birds have a long memory."
"He missed you...and so did I."
"Did you find out why from your friend?"
"I did. Not that knowing the reason makes what he did any more acceptable." Noah stretched his long legs to rest on the coffee table.
"Will you tell me? I'd lik
