After the three had eaten breakfast and were still seated at the table, Grandma Jo focused her eyes on the wide-eyed girl sitting directly across from her. The woman would be the more accurate word because she knew that Sami had to be in her early thirties. Yet, the expression on her face made Sami appear to be a child. The innocent, child-like wonder was apparent in this woman’s features.

Sami, it’s nice to have you back, she thought, remembering the creature that had been so defiant late last night. Grandma Jo wondered about the night’s activities she had missed while sleeping in the chair in Sami’s bedroom. How had Mark achieved the miracle that had gained him Sami’s trust? What method had he chosen to reach this woman? Knowing technically it was none of her business, she was still highly curious.

Switching her eyes from Sami to Mark, she saw that he was also staring at Sami. Grandma Jo sat back in her chair and for several moments watched the display of emotions on his face. He’s fighting a battle in his mind, she thought.

Mark’s attention turned to Grandma Jo as if he felt her gaze on him. He winked at her, as a smile spread across his face. She didn’t return the smile but instead raised her eyebrow in response. The thoughts Mark was experiencing vanished, as he saw her questioning expression. Guessing that he had to do some explaining, he nodded toward her. She has a right to know what happened, he reminded himself. He did bring her into this situation, and he owed her an update.  Grandma Jo answered his nod with a knowing smile, feeling a bit guilty, but thrilled at his trust in her. Armed with the knowledge that he was going to relate the details later, she stood up. She started to gather the dirty dishes and remnants of their breakfasts when several loud barks could be heard coming from the backyard. Sami’s Springer Spaniel, the Molly, thought absently, as she continued to remove the dishes.

Grandma Jo’s attention was drawn away from her task when Sami began to move. Wanting to reassure Sami that she could handle this chore without help, she looked directly at her. The words she was about to speak were still. The child-like expression was gone. Fixed on Sami’s blank expression, she felt pressure on her arm. She tore her eyes off Sami’s face and turned to Mark. His worried expression alarmed her as he signaled her to sit. Without thinking, she did what he requested.

Both sets of eyes moved as one as they returned their focus to Sami’s figure moving through the kitchen on her way to the back door. Unlocking the door, opening it, and stepping outside were all completed without a single glance back to the two people staring at her from the table.

Mark was on his feet before the door fully closed. Moving toward the arcadia door leading to the patio instead of the back door, he easily located the proper cords to open the blinds. With several large yanks on the cord, the blinds were opened to reveal the activity beyond.

Grandma Jo was too stunned to move as she absorbed the scene before her. Her eyes played Ping-Pong as they quickly jumped from Mark’s extremely tense back to the robotic motion of Sami brushing her dog’s back.

“I have to get her out of here,” Mark quietly spoke.

“What’s happening to her?”Mark’s shoulders suddenly sagged dramatically, and placing his forehead on the glass, he whispered one word. “Routine.”

Turning her full attention to Mark, Grandma Jo placed the dishes that were still in her hands on the table and settled back deeper into the chair. Within a matter of seconds, the words began to flow from him.

“Molly’s barking awakened…” Mark started, and then stopped. He turned and reached into his pocket, withdrawing his recorder. Glancing at Grandma Jo, as he moved, he commented. “Might as well kill two birds with one stone.” She nodded in agreement.

Placing the recorder on the counter, he hit the record button. Walking back to the glass door, he started again. “Molly’s barking awakened the p