Sapphy and Virginia come waddling into the kitchen from the den, herded by Lefty and trailed by Frank. Frank's got T-Bone on his shoulder - T-Bone squawks, "Pretty Lady!" at Gerard and then says, "Hello!" and, "Frank's handsome! Handsome boy, handsome boy!"

"Huh," Mikey says. "That one's new."

Bob bursts out laughing, almost doubled over.

Frank grins. "We've been practicing," he says.

Gerard grins, too, ducks his head and fills Sapphy and Virginia's bowls full of their special blend of feed. Frank's sort of adorable all mischievous. Gerard is sort of sweet on Frank. He'd never tell him, but he kind of wants to hug him all the time.