High up overhead in the rafters, two chocolate eyes glow neltingly as they wake and survey the scene below.


"Sho' is comfubble an' warm up here" sez Sugar Dog to the others lurking aloft. "An' quiet. Peaceable, like. Almos' 's nice as dat Callahan's rafters. Bes' part is even a Sugar Dog Man cain't see up in de rafters lessen he done clumb up hisseff! It be good an' dark up heah-- dey cain't see up dis way fum down below! Let a body rest herseff, nice!"

Sugar Dog cock ear an' lissen, hear somebuddy say her name, look out a crack in de siding, see flagpole. "Uh huh" she think; "Them knickers is looking a might frazzly... dat ole Pennsyltucky windstorm ripwhip 'em all shreddy."

Sugar Dog slitter out de crack, shinny down a drainpipe butt down an' nose up, an' trit-trot over de flagpole. "Ah reckon these fit fer a lil Sugar Dog bed, now" sez she, and back up de pipe she go, mouf all fulla knickertatters. In de crack she slitter back, an' take up her place on de rafter. She curl up, fittin' tuh 'sleep, knickers soft under-- and soft over, too, wrap on her head for nice dark nap.

Sugar Dog musin' as she drif' off, fo' she start dream a lil candycane chase.... "Huh, reckon that Peter T know dis jes been the fust day in Christmastide? Dat MAH-sheen loaded fer all twelve day? Ah keep a eye out... mebbe dis party end too quick Ah take mah shaggy ass back over in Callahan's.... Ah 'member right, is a beach party goin' on over dat way, las' Ah look.... zzzzzz....."

Sugar Dog give a lil shake an' settle for long sleep.


A few caramel hairs float down, perhaps to tickle a well-tuned nose or two.