Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Two Worlds

Sassafras and Galleytrot were waiting up for me when I closed my door.

"Was that Quaid?" Sassy's silver tail showed his aggravation. "What did I tell you about running out into the yard in the middle of the night?"

"You might want to ask one question at a time," I said, feeling decidedly snarky.

"It was Quaid." Sassy sighed. "What did he say?"

My face crumpled. I couldn't stand it. Sassafras said his name twice. The first time I could fake it and pretend, but the second... the waterworks threatened.

"Just leave me alone." I threw myself face first onto my bed, smothering myself in the pillow, squeezing my eyes as if that would make me forget. A hot, wet nose shoved against my hand on my left while a rough tongue licked my ear on my right.

"I'm sorry, Syd," Sassy whispered.

"Me too." Galleytrot's mournful tone sounded like the rumble of a river.