It’s been a bad week. I had a biopsy and it came back endometrial cancer. So now I’m in a holding pattern waiting to see the oncologist and schedule surgery. I don’t know yet what happens after that.

But I’m still around, still writing (need the distraction more than ever). I’m picking up with Behind Blue Eyes again. They’re finally at Aneirin’s home.

Aneirin snorted, leaning his head into the recess for the retinal scanner. The door opened and he ushered Kaleo in. The young man stopped immediately, his eyes wider and his jaw loosened as he took in the space with its muted, calm color palette and soft, inviting couches.

“I didn’t know you had houses so big! I thought that place last night was a hotel or something. Mom told me about those.”

“No, that’s was Pherick’s condo and this is just the living room. Grimoald, I’m home,” he called.

“Just…” Kaleo, following Aneirin deeper into the house.

Suddenly a heavy weight hit Aneirin’s shoulders, nearly knocking him down. Kaleo yelped. The mass slithered off Aneirin’s shoulders, into his arms, a rough tongue caressing his cheek. Smoke butted her horned head into the bridge of his nose, making him see stars. His pet’s love was scary sometimes.

“Smoke, you bad girl! Don’t do that!”