Rockin From Dusk Till Dawn

Paige: It was nice spending some quality time with my sisters over the holidays.

Monica: Maybe for you.

Paige: What? You didn't like it here?

Monica: Geez, you're kidding, right? RB was out having his own fun in California and we get left here in the middle the rain and snow to sit around and do nothing. Yuck!

Paige: A deal was a deal. We got to go to Mexico and sail the high seas, and he got to go on vacation for Christmas and New Year. Seemed fair. Besides, we had each other.

Monica: Exactly! All we had was each other. All you did was play that damned game all day long and Alyson was all like "Ooh, snow..." and she was off doing god only knows what in that stuff. And where does that leave me?

Paige: I was not just playing that game.

Monica: Yeah, right. Well, I got the proof right here. See for yourself.

Paige: Ooh. I think I got my likeness pretty close, don't you think?

Monica: Yeah, not bad. You need those boots, though. Those are bitchin.

Paige: Sigh. Yeah, those are really cool. Which reminds me, why didn't you go shopping? You so could have gone shopping. While the cat's away, you know?

Monica: Yeah, right. I'm not touching those malls this time of year.

Paige: Hmmm... Maybe you're right. Well, it's not like you didn't do anything. You were reading that Twilight garb... I mean books, if I recall. So, tell me, you like Edward or Jacob?

Monica: Oh, I'm totally a Jacob person. I think I like the idea of the person I'm with being my friend. Edward's just way to old school for me. Can't trust that type with anything.

Paige: Well, that actor in the movie sure looked nice. What's his name?

Monica: Oh my god was Taylor Lautner hot. Okay, tell me. Which do you like?

Paige: I didn't read the books, you know. But I think I liked Edward better in the movies.

Monica: No way. Edward is so about secrets. He's always like doing things to protect Bella without telling her. Who needs that crap? Jake lays it all out and includes her.

Paige: Well, I sure like Jacob's body, for sure, but personally I like a guy whose number one goal is me, you know. Jacob seems like a hothead. Besides, I like pale guys.

Monica: You mean you like geeks who never see the light of day?

Paige: Well, of course! Nothing wrong with a well educated man who uses his mind rather than brawn to win the day.

Monica: Even if that means he plays World of Warcraft or plays Dungeons and Dragons?

Paige: Shy smile Even better. I'd rather have a guy care about my tanking skill or backstab ability than how I put on makeup.

Monica: Sis, that is just screwed up.

Paige: Don't you get it? Geeks are like willing slaves to my every whim. I like being catered on hand and foot. What do you get from your type of guy?

Monica: Duh! Hot sex.

Paige: Hmmm... one night stand or forever slave. Hard to choose...

Monica: That would be hot, rocking one night stand to you. And I have less complication.

Paige: And I get minion.

Monica: Ooh, very true. I like the idea of having a minion. Maybe you have a point there.

Paige: Grin Think about it. I'm sure you'll come to my way of thinking.

Monica: Not likely, but I'll consider it.

The Love Boat

Monica: Oh my god I'm stuffed. I never ate so much in my life.

Paige: I can tell. I think you might have gained a few pounds there.

Monica: No! Oh my god oh my god... Running

Paige: Don't break the scale!

Alyson: You know she worked out in that gym like every day we were on the ship, right?

Paige: Well yeah, but between late night trips to the lido deck and all those fruity cocktails I'm sure she made up for it. I know I'm still working it all off.

Alyson: I don't see how you both could eat so much. I didn't.

Paige: That's because you never left the hot tubs. And who was that guy I saw you flirting with?

Alyson: Blush Well... uhm... that was... we were just chatting.

Paige: Uh huh. Same guy every day? Well, I won't tell RB. Which reminds me, I don't suppose you'd mind doing my chores while I work off those desserts? You know, for a few weeks maybe?

Alyson: Why you... Gulp Oh, hey RB.

RB: Hey girls. You had fun on your cruise?

Paige: I know Alyson did... Ouch!

Alyson: Rubbing elbow Yeah, of course. It was great.

RB: I just wish I could have gone, but you know what work's like. I'm glad all of you got to go, though.

Paige: Yeah, you missed a lot. Hey, I thought you'd like this picture I took of the cruise ship. We were off Catalina Island here.

RB: Oh, that is cool. You'll have to tell me more later, though. I gotta go. But I want to hear all about it.

Paige: Yeah, sure thing. We'll see you later.

Alyson: See ya!

Paige: You were saying, little sis?

Alyson: Sigh Yeah, sure, chores.

Paige: Excellent. What happens on the cruise ship stays on the cruise ship, right?

Alyson: Oh, yes, most definitely. Thank you.

Paige: My pleasure. Smirk

Forgiveness

Paige: We're all so sorry for the silence, but I'm sad to say that RBC wasn't the only loss we suffered recently. A couple weeks after RBC passed, our little girl cat RGC came down ill as well. Cancer, once again, struck our family, and she passed away only 5 weeks after our dear boy. She was 14 years old.

Monica: It's been a hard thing knowing we'd have to come here and say it, so soon after RBC. I think we thought if we'd put it off it wouldn't be true. Damn. Well, it's been awfully quiet at home. No pitter patter of little kitty feet. We've been wallowing ever since, and I have to tell you that's not a good thing. Thank you, Claire, for poking at us. It's good to know there are people out there who care.

Paige: Yeah, thank you. We'll try not to be so quiet from here on out. For the moment, though, here is a picture of RGC. She had the biggest eyes we'd ever seen on a cat. I hope this image gives you a small sample of what we felt whenever she looked our way. Take care for now!

Requiem

RB: From myself and the girls, I want just want to tell everyone about the passing of a dear friend and companion of over 17 years. Known here previously as RBC (Real Boy Cat), he left us yesterday after a brief illness. Since he was eight weeks old he had shared my life, bearing silent witness to its many ups and downs, and provided support and comfort with his presence and touch. He was not just a cat. He was my confidant and ally. I cannot express how much I will miss him. Even now I yearn to hear his purr once more and felt my heart ache when my hand reached out in the night to find him missing besides me in sleep. He was, and always will be treasured in my heart and soul. Farewell, my friend.

1991 - 2009

The Sound of Something

Monica: So, can you hear me now?

RB: Sigh Not like I haven't HEARD that one before.

Alyson: Giggle.

RB: Yeah, it's getting better. Still a little stuffy, though.

Monica: Well, as long as you can hear my tongue on your earlobe, we're good.

Alyson: Monica!

Paige: Don't pay any attention to her, Alyson. Ok, Monica, put your tongue back in your mouth. RB, your burger is ready and hot off the grill. And Alyson, I think your... what the hell is this thing?

Alyson: Boca Burger.

Paige: Uh, yeah, your Boca thing is ready. I think. It's not meat so I can't tell.

RB: God it's hot out here.

Alyson: I love your patio. I wish you had space for a garden, though. It would be so nice to grow our own vegetables.

Monica: You kidding me? You think I'm going to grovel in the dirt for carrots? It's hard getting my nails to look this good.

Paige: But we could compost. I've been wanting to do that here forever. Too much garbage in our landfills at it is.

Alyson: Exactly!

RB: You girls go right on ahead. I'll be inside cooling off with the air conditioner.

Monica: I'm with you! Want to cool of up stairs on the bed? Naked?

RB: Uhm...

Alyson: What a great idea! I could work on my tan right here and get rid of my tan lines.

RB: Ehh...

Paige: Heh. That is a good idea. We do have a fence and a private yard. I suppose we both could.

RB: Ahh...

Paige: Why RB, what's the matter? You're looking like one of those baby birds waiting for food from its mother. Is that drool I see?

RB: Arrrr...

Monica: Oh, stick a burger in it. Damn, now I'll never get him to go inside. I guess I better work on that tan too.

RB: Eeee...

Alyson: You ok, RB? Your eyes are going... glassy? Hello? Hey, I think we need help here. Is he ok?

Paige: Heh. I think it's shock. It's just a guess, but I think he'll live.

Monica: Well, I think we can shock him back to life. Off with the top!

RB: Uhhh....

Paige: Anyone else up for a burger while we're out here?

Monica: Yeah, I think so. Thanks. Hmmm, good. Oops, is that catsup dripping on my breast? Darn.

Paige: Don't break the boy. We need him later.

Alyson: Did it just get hotter out here?

Monica: Yeah, I think it definitely did.

Slicing and Dicing

Alyson: Oh, he's so cute when he's sick. He's looks so sad, I just want to take care of him.

Monica: And wash him. When did they say he could take a shower?

Paige: Sigh You know he's sucking this for all it's worth, don't you?

Alyson: Oh, don't say that. He's had a tough couple weeks. Surgery can really be hard on the body. Poor guy.

Monica: I'd snuggle to keep him warm, but I hate blood. Did you see that when it starting leaking out his ear? Yuck!

Paige: Geez, it's not like he's oozing or anything. He hasn't bled for a week now. And don't let him fool you. The guy is riding high on codeine. I wonder if he could spare any.

Monica: Smack Hey, don't you go all druggy on me.

Paige: I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I was justing thinking about the next time I have a migraine.

Monica: Migraines. Yeah, right. You mean cramps, don't you?

Paige: Well, thanks. Now everyone knows I get PMS.

Alyson: Huh. Never had much of a problem with that. I just drink this herbal tea and I'm fine.

Monica: I hate her. You know that, right?

Paige: The girl vacuum's in her lingerie. RB can't stop staring at her whenever she helps clean the house. I'm right there with you. Grrr...

Alyson: Hey, it's more comfortable that way. He really looks? Blush

Monica: We'd better be quiet. We're going to wake him.

Paige: Humph, no way. He's got his good ear to the pillow. They stuff this gel stuff in his ear to keep everything in place. He won't be able to hear a thing for awhile. Huh, wouldn't it be cool if he had super hearing after all this?

Monica: What, like the Bionic Woman? God that was a bad show. Didn't they cancel that?

Paige: Yeah, they did. It was a bad show, wasn't it? But what I mean is wouldn't it be great if his hearing was better than normal?

Alyson: Is that possible? They just replaced an ear bone or something, right? Like with plastic? It's not like it's electronic or anything.

Paige: Yeah, but it would be so cool.

Monica: Huh. He seemed fine to me. Why did he have that done again?

Paige: What, you never noticed that he always managed to sit on everyone's left side? Some ear infection as a kid, I think. About time he had that fixed. I was getting tired of repeating myself all the time.

Alyson: Ah, poor guy. He'll be good as new soon. Think we should have a party to make him feel better?

Paige: Nah. Just clean house. He'll perk right up, I'm sure.

Monica: Heh. Perk right up. That's good.

Paige: Grrrr....

Four's Company

Monica: Hey, that looks good on you.

Alyson: Uhm, thanks.

Monica: Here, let me get that stray hair out of the way. Oh, that's perfect. You look way better than Paige in that, let me tell you.

Alyson: If you say so. But I think Paige is awfully pretty.

Monica: Oh, you kidding? You're way prettier than she is. Just don't say anything about it to her. She's very sensitive, you know. Darn, the light is bad here. Oh well, we'll just have to make due. Ok, I think we're done and ready for your debut. You good?

Alyson: Uh, yeah, sure. I think so.

Monica: Let's see, click here, upload there. I think I got it. Ahem... Mee mee mee...

Hello everyone! Monica here. Paige is off doing... well, something somewhere else. Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that our sister Alyson arrived at our house safe and sound after a very long trip from lovely southern California. Poor girl is going to go pale here in Oregon, she looks great and is happy to be here. Why don't you say hello, Alyson?

Alyson: Uh, hi. Hello. Everyone.

Monica: She's a bit shy, but she's a darling. And if you're wondering what she looks like, here she is!

Isn't she beautiful? Now she didn't come up with much so she's borrowing from myself and Paige, of course. We're also having a lovely time hanging out together.

Alyson: Yeah, Monica has been real nice. Paige too...

Monica: Oh, our sister has been out and about lately. What with going to conferences and being all geek like, we hardly ever see her. Not like me. Some of us have to stick around and go to work and stuff. I'm taking a few days off so Alyson and I can hang out and get to know each other. Isn't that right?

Alyson: Uh, yeah, I guess.

Monica: Well, why don't you tell folks about yourself?

Alyson: Uhm, ok, sure. Well, I'm from south Cal, but you already know that. I like going to the beach, but not much of that around here. I think it's been cloudy the entire time I've been here. Let's see, I like reading, well, I guess you'd say it's non-fiction. My favorites are self help type books, you know. I mean, I just love learning about how people work and stuff, and helping people be better, and be better myself.

Monica: I didn't know that.

Alyson: Oh, I've been so busy since I got here I haven't had a chance to say anything. Oh, and I meditate because it calms me, you know? Beyond that I try to stay fit. I do hope RB has a bike. I'd really miss it if I couldn't bike. Well, I guess I could jog, you know, but you just can't go as far. I do hope to see more of the city. Anyway, I'm a vegetarian...

Monica: Cough You're vegetarian?!

Alyson: Oh yeah! It's really good for you. All that meat and fat just clogs the arteries, you know. Veggies are much better for you.

Monica: And here I thought you were just being picky at that restaurant.

Alyson: Oh, no. I love Indian food. That tofu with the spinach was fantastic. Ok, let's see... Oh, I do massage. RB really seemed to like have his back rubbed last night. I hope he liked it.

Monica: Uhm, yeah. I'm sure he did. Cough

Alyson: So I hear Portland is a great place for massage. There are like two schools in town. I looked it up online before I got here. Oh, and they have a school of oriental medicine. Isn't that great?

Monica: Yeah, great. Well, looks like you'll have lots to love in Portland. Big biking town, too.

Alyson: Oh, that's wonderful! Maybe there's a club or something I can join. I was part of a co-op down in San Diego.

Monica: Yeah, you can go join a club. Oh darn, I think we're out of time. Well, it's, uh, great to have you here. We're one big happy family, you know. I hope you like it here.

Alyson: Oh, I think I will. Thanks!

Monica: Talk to you all later, everyone. Ta ta!

Alyson: Bye!