the intrusion. “Do you have plans with Bradley?”
“He can’t see us until after work tomorrow afternoon” Miranda informed her.
“So can we do some sight-seeing in the morning?” Karin asked.
“Can you get the time off from work?” Miranda asked worriedly.
Karin smiled “I’ve been working all afternoon with you guys around. The phone is a powerful weapon, and then there is texting and emails.”
“I noticed you guard that thing with your life” Miranda laughed. Karin did use it a lot but it never seemed long.
“This phone is my life” Karin returned the laugh. It was so true.
“Can I come out?” Molly asked from the doorway, she eyed the cat warily.
Karin laughed and said “sure, there isn’t a lot of room but you’re welcome.”
She opened and shut the sliding glass patio door as she headed out in her pajamas which consisted of satin pants and a T-shirt. Miranda reached up and said “sit here” and let her full grown daughter sit on her lap. “What are you guys talking about” she eyed the content cat in Karin’s arms as she petted him. He opened his eyes a slit to watch her but the petting soothed him and he purred louder. She smiled at his contentment, except for his immense size he looked like any other house cat.
“We are trying to solve the problems of the world, find the meaning of life, and take over the universe” Karin told her smiling.
“How’s that going?” Molly said sarcastically laughing.
“We’re still here aren’t we?” Karin said realistically.
They all chuckled as they listened to the sounds of the never quiet city. Something made a noise and the cat looked up with intent ears at something above them on one of the other balconies. They all followed his look but saw nothing. Soon he calmed back down and went to his sleepy enjoyment of Karin’s soothing petting. Karin shivered and said “well, I’m going to get ready for bed” and peeling the huge cat off her lap she got up and the dog and cat followed her inside. Molly got up from Miranda’s lap and took Karin’s chair “can I have one of your cigarettes?” she asked.
Karin showered and changed in her bedroom. She didn’t often wear pajamas but in lieu of the fact that she had guests she dug into one of her drawers and found satin pants and a matching satin shirt with spaghetti straps that enhanced her breasts with the built in shelf. She grabbed a blanket from the closet and headed back into the den where she threw it on one of the chairs. Miranda and Molly had both come in and she checked the windows and doors to be sure they were locked. The patio door had a screw behind it for added protection and she turned the knob to doubly lock it. Anyone foolish enough to climb the balconies or to come through the doggie door panel of her patio deserved what they got. She had heard of people scaling from patio to patio and knew it was possible but she had been fortunate that she hadn’t been broken into in this crime ridden city. The front door automatically locked when she entered and she just put the chain across as a matter of form before heading to the den. Jana’s door was open and she was sprawled across her bed and she heard Molly in her room as she got ready for bed. The door to the master bedroom was closed so she assumed Miranda was getting ready too.
Karin was laying in one of the two chairs in the den with it fully reclined and a blanket across her as she watched her fish tanks for a while before dozing off. She was almost asleep when she
Robin Roberts, Veronica Chambers