“You really are hungry,” Maura said, standing behind Emily. “Is Ryan starving you?”
“No – gulp... (chew, chew. Swallow), but I haven’t eaten for a long time.”
Maura nodded. “That’s what you get for playing tag in the woods. I’m sure you won’t do it again.”
“Don’t count – urrllp. (chewchewchewswallow) Don’t count on it.”
Maura shook her head. “You sound a lot like Maribeth used to. Her master kicked her out and she’s gone rogue ever since.”
That caught my attention. “How... How long?” I asked in-between mouthfuls.
Maura scrutinized the other women’s empty plates then, with a wave of her hand, excused them from the table, including Emily and Randi. A good amount of food remained on my plate but Maura sat in Emily’s chair and continued with the task of feeding helpless me.
“Maribeth,”
