When Christopher got home, he walked right past Maggie who purred and followed at his feet. He sighed and then bent down and rubbed her ears gently.

"Sorry, Mags. I'm not mad at you." She leaned into his fingers in contentment. "Did you miss me, girl?" He stood and placed his things neatly in the closet, popped in a John Coltrane disc and then checked his messages. His mother had called.

"Son, this is Mom." He smiled, as if he couldn't tell. "I hate to tell you this ...