"So this is mi casa. And those were my cats." Both Sampson and Delilah had taken off as soon as they realized there was a stranger with me. "Don't worry, Sampson will be back soon, he's pretty brave, but you probably won't see Delilah the whole time you're here."

Sandy laughed. "I love cats. And dogs."

"Why don't you have one?"

"Because I work a very demanding job and I coach. I'd never see them. It just doesn't feel fair to leave a pet alone all the time."

"I get that." I hesitated a second. "Well, I'm going to head upstairs and change. Make yourself at home."

Sandy smiled, and...