Casina lay across her bed, a sense of longing filling her heart. Her outstretched hand was on Jaspar, who lay beside her. It amazed her that he always seemed to find his way back to her. So now, she purposely left the glass doors open a bit so he could come and go as he pleased. Rolling onto her back, she gazed up at the colorful mural painted on the ceiling, at the gorgeous reproduction of the palace in all its splendor, her hand still on the cat.

"Mom," she whispered, deep sadness in her tone as she mindlessly stroked the feline. "How I wish you were here to give...