William and I hurried outside and scurried to the rose garden.
“Do you always shift in the rose garden?” William asked.
“Yes,” I replied. It’s close to the house, and the roses offer the privacy that I need to be comfortable while I shift, and the bushes keep my clothes off the ground.”
“The pavilion in the center of the pond would be ideal also, or are you still afraid of the water.”
“I’m not afraid of it anymore,” I informed him. “I learned to swim in that pond while you were away.”
“That’s wonderful,” William said. “I’m glad. You’ll be much safer now around water. I Will never forget the day you almost drowned in my parent’s pool.”
“Me either, although I’d rather forget it,” I sighed. The roses were now in sight.
“Have you taken many runs out here?” he asked. “It is a lovely plac
