44

A new day. A new life continues.

"Sunshine, ya'all!"  Xena/Belle shouted this morning when she came out of her room.  She was dressed casually, jeans and a Lady Gaga t-shirt.  She had a leash and blue thing that would go around Rosie.  It said Official Service Dog.  It was new and it actually looked like something official.  No way that it was real, was it?  X/B came over and gave me her regular kiss on the top of my head.  I was at the "kitchen" table that we used for painting/reading/eating/crafting/studying etc. that stood by the small window overlooking the alley.

"I was worried all yesterday when you were out adventuring and exploring," I looked at her eyes, trying to convey that I had really been worried, as I usually was when she went out doing her thing about money.

"Don't worry, sugar," she drawled in her faux New Orleans accent.  She took the last of the bagel from my hands.  She pulled a two inch thick roll of twenties from her backpack that she had left last night when she came home after the ten o'clock news.  I'd been so happy to see her then that I hadn't said anything but hi!

"SugarBelle," I tried to play her game.  "You're the only person I worry about in the world."

"Close your ears RosieBear, he just said that he didn't care about you enough to worry."  She dramatically put her hands over Rosie's ears.  Rosie looked at me and barked.

"Besides," she continued, "I'm the best, no one comes close.  Rosie's the best too, aren't ya darlin?"

"What time is it?" Changing the subject, I thought.

I looked at my wrist.

"What time is it Rosie?" She said and put Rosie on the table next to the plate I'd been eating off of before she'd taken my bagel.

"What time Rosie?"

"Why Rosie, you say it's 7.  Good doggie.  Best doggie."  She held up Rosie's front paw where my watch was, loosely buckled on just above her paw.

"Rosie's going to school today and needs some lunch money, don't you Honey?  Have to have your po'boy.  Here Moonie has a five in his billfold.  She opened my wallet and pulled out a five and then dramatically put an inch thick wad in and gave it back.

"I'm the best.  Don't worry."  She looked into my eyes from two inches away.  She took my head in her two hands and repeated.  "Don't worry, I'm the best.  Those dirt bags are so stupid they think I'm a tourist wandering around the quarter, then I disappear and go on to the next intersection.  Don't worry sugarbear."

"Do you want to come with us to the special school today?  Rosie's going to be show and tell and show the smart kids that there really is magic in the world if they just look for it."