The late morning sun was shining in the window when Aunt Cathy finally awakened. The upstairs bedroom was already unpleasantly warm. She groaned as she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position and then pivoted to allow her legs to dangle over the edge of the bed. Once she was up and moving she usually felt pretty spry, but her old bones and joints were stiff and achy in the mornings when she first started to move.

"It must be close to 10:00," she said out loud. "Why, I've slept away half the day!" She slowly eased her way out of the bed and walked over to the rocker where she habitually draped her housecoat. She noticed the cat hair on the front panel of the robe and remembered her visit with Miss Cassie.

She was glad the family had listened with such interest last night. Eager listeners always make a tale easier to tell.