Tirra Lirra peeped around the door to see if anyone was there... the
room seemed very quiet, nothing was stirring.
She took a few steps and noticed a hump under the futon.
Going closer, she noticed a tawny arm lying over the quilt. Little
golden hairs showed on the lightly-tanned skin.
"Good," she thought, "she's here." She sat down on the floor to wait.
After a while, she stretched out on the floor. She watched the patterns
on the ceiling made by the tree outside the window. A gentle breeze made
the leaves drift around. Passing cars and bird noises came to her, and
after a while she could make out the quiet rhythm of breathing coming
from the futon. She listened to her own heart beat. And felt hot.
After a while, the rhythm of breathing changed. Tirra Lirra suddenly
regretted waiting there - Golden would be startled when she woke up.
Tirra Lirra felt she was intruding. Quietly, quietly, she rolled over
and got to her feet soundlessly. She tip toed to the door and went
outside. Then she drew breath.
She stood outside in the passageway for a little while, listening to the
small noises Golden made as she woke up.
After a few minutes, Tirra Lirra walked away from the door and then
turned and walked back whistling 'Ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no
more.' She came to the door and paused, then she said,
"Golden? You there?"
"Yeah," said Golden, "come in."
Tirra went over to the futon and hugged Golden. Golden patted the futon
and Tirra climbed in. Reaching into her bag, she brought out an unopened
pack of Terry's Chocolate Orange. Golden's eyes lit up with pleasure as
Tirra carefully unwrapped the chocolate, separated a segment and held it
up for Golden to take.
With a chuckle, Golden reached forward and took the
segment of chocolate orange. Because it was so delicious, she bit
through part of the chocolate and took the remainder in her fingers. She
smiled as the smooth chocolate melted in her mouth and began to melt on
her fingers.