A Strange State of Affairs Ch. 17

            Fye woke early.

            The sun streamed in through his bedroom curtains and illuminated dust motes in the air.  He sniffed loudly and put his hands over his eyes.  Last night…

            The date with Sherry had gone well.  He’d enjoyed himself, more so than he had in the past few months of dodging reporters and painting all day, locked up in his studio like a recluse.  She was so easy to talk to.  And yet…

            And yet he felt rather odd.  His mind blearily searched through its collection of memories, finally settling on the scene in the kitchen last night…the slender figure reclining on his kitchen counter.  What had that been?  Who had that been?          

            What was going on?

            He groaned.  “I need some coffee.  Ugh.”

            The artist rolled to his feet and staggered into the bathroom, switching on the light.  He scrubbed his face, deciding to forgo shaving �" he didn’t have any plans today anyway.  He brushed his teeth thoroughly and carefully tousled his hair. 

            I think I’ll do some sketches of the wrens down by the beach today, he thought to himself while he dressed.  I want to put some of them in my next piece for the show next week.

            Fye left his bedroom and travelled down the hall, stretching his arms wide.  The kitchen was empty, save for El, who was lounging on the counter.

            Fye called her.  “’la.”

            When the cat did not move, he grew worried.  Usually she was very affectionate.  “That’s odd,” he murmured, approaching the cat.  He felt a bit of worry sprout in his chest.  “’la?”

            She lay on the polished countertop, ignoring her cat bed.  Her eyes were clenched shut, as though she were in pain.  Fye noticed that her limbs, instead of being relaxed, were taut.

            “Elala?!” he called.  Fye stretched out a hand and tenderly placed it on her back.

            As he did, El’s eyes snapped open.  Her eyes darted to Fye’s face, and she sprang up.  Elevine spat sharply at Fye and backed up against the window.  Her back arched, and her hackles were raised.

            “’la?”  Fye drew his hand back in shock. 

            El stared into his eyes and turned.  She sat on the windowsill and stared outside, letting out a forlorn sigh.

            Fye was still astonished.  El had never hissed at him or shown him any aggressiveness in the month they’d been together.  He turned toward the refrigerator in a daze and began to prepare breakfast.

            When he was in the middle of stirring large quantities of milk into his coffee (he didn’t care much for putting sugar in his coffee), he heard the sound of a vehicle pulling into his driveway.  Fye looked out the window and was surprised to see Vert’s car, a sturdy green vehicle, outside of his house. 

            As he watched, Pona sprang out of the passenger seat followed by Vert, who was calling out after her.  She was carrying a pack of papers with her.

            Elevine had gotten up from her seat at the window.  She looked puzzlingly out the window and mewled in confusion, looking at Fye.  The artist shrugged and ran to the door.

            “Vert?  Pona?  What’s up?” El heard him ask.  She ran to the hallway and peered at the door.

            “Hey, Fye.”  Vert stepped inside, Pona in tow.  “Can we talk to you about something?”  He looked excited, and his face was flushed.  El heard Pona giggle as Vert towed her inside.

            “Sure,” Fye replied warily, “Have a seat.”  He gestured toward the living room.  Elevine followed the guests inside.  As they sat down, she sprang up on the sofa and perched on the back.

            “So,” Pona said, “We were talking about making an official engagement announcement this morning, and…”  She looked at Vert, who squeezed her hand in encouragement.  She smiled at him, then turned back to Fye.  “We’re thinking about taking a group vacation up to Oaku Springs and making our announcement there.”

            “Oh.”  Fye blinked.  “You decided?”  Pona nodded.  “Who are you inviting?”

            Pona hmm-ed and turned to Vert, who scratched his head in thought.  “Well, our parents…you…some people at the agency…um…”  He turned back to Pona, whose face suddenly creased with a crafty smile.

            “And Sherry, of course,” she purred.

            Elevine let out a growl from her perch on the sofa, but no one heard her quiet disapproval.

            “So are you coming along?” Vert asked amiably.

            Pona stared dully at him.  “Does his opinion matter?” she asked her fiancé.  “He’s coming with us, like it or not.”  She turned back to Fye and beamed at him.

            Fye laughed.  “Like it?  What’s not to like?  I want a vacation.”  He leaned forward.  “How long do you plan on staying in Oaku?”

            Pona shrugged.  She twirled her engagement ring around on her finger.  “Oh, maybe a week.  You’ll still be able to make it to the Seaside Gallery Show, no worries.”

            “A week, huh,” Fye mused.  His thoughts strayed to El, who had scampered to the arm of the sofa and was eyeing him meaningfully. 

            Vert noticed his gaze and nudged Pona.

            “Oh,” she breathed, “Hey, Fye, do you want to take her with you?  I mean, a week’s a pretty long time, and I’d hate for her to be alone.”

            Elevine purred throatily in response.  This was what she wanted �" going on this trip with Fye would not only be rejuvenating for herself, but would also allow her to catch a glimpse of this “Sherry”.

            “Alright.”  Vert stood.  “So I’ll count you in.  Now we just have to talk to Riyel and a few more guests.”  He held an arm out to Pona.

            Pona beamed and stood to give Fye a hug.

            “Congrats,” he murmured in her ear, “I can’t believe you’re actually getting married!!”

            She laughed in response.  “What’s not to believe?  Thanks, Fye.”

            Elevine watched Fye walk his guests to the door and sighed in relief.  She didn’t want to be left behind.