The guys sat at the table. Mike had prepared a “Texas breakfast.” His version of a “Texas breakfast on a California-out-of-work-musician’s budget.” The boys had a hearty breakfast of toast, cereal, juice and coffee.
Astrid took her place at the table. All eyes were on her. She smiled placed a little black box on the table. She lifted her hair off the back of her neck. She then took a cord from the box and inserted it into two small holes at the base of her neck . She noticed the guys looking at her in shock.
“What? I’m recharging!” Astrid simply stated.
“Of course,” Davy said a bit stunned.
“Sure,” Mike said.
“Groovy,” Micky said as he gulped his juice.
“Refreshing!” Peter said happily. With a rather surprising start, they all ate breakfast. This quaint little breakfast scene was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door.
“Wonder who tha’ is,” Davy said sarcastically.
"I’ll give ya three guesses,” Mike said as he went to the door.
“I’ll take one,” Micky said.
“So will I, but who’ll take the last one?” Peter asked.
“Take the last one what?” Mike asked as he got to the door.
“Guesses!” Micky and Peter said in unison.
“You guys!” Mike said rolling his eyes. “Who is it?”
“Open the door and see who it is!” came the angry reply. Mike opened the door.
“Why Mr. Babbit! To what do we owe the pleasure?” Davy asked in his best British voice.
“Don’t get smart with me! The rent! The rent! That’s what ya owe!” Babbit said pushing past Mike and entering the front room.
Astrid quickly removed her cord and box and listened to the man yelling in the front room. Curious, she walked into the room and up to Mr. Babbit.
“Hello. How are you?” she asked.
“Who is this? Babbit asked looking at the young girl.
“Well sir, I’m Astrid. Micky’s cousin. I am here for six months. Do you mind, sir?” she asked. Babbit was immediately taken by her.
“Uh, no, no. It’s just these guys owe me rent!” Mr. Babbit said.
“They will pay you, But could you help them? Your apartment is really very lovely, but they need repairs,” Astrid said smiling sweetly.
Mr. Babbit seemed to be mesmerized by the young girl’s sweetness.
“Sure, sure young lady, anything. What do they need?” a calmer, gentler, Mr. Babbit asked.
“Well----” Astrid began. By the time she finished, Mr. Babbit had agreed to fix all the problems in the Pad and promised to be patient about the rent.
“Was I OK?” Astrid asked after Mr. Babbit left.
“Groovy babe! Just groovy!!” Micky answered.”
“You had Babbit eatin’ out of you ‘hand!” Davy said.
“I can get used to this!” Mike said smiling.
“Astrid, what did you do to him? To calm him down, I mean,” Peter asked.
“I just appealed to his sensitive side,” Astrid answered.
“That’s news. I didn’t even know he had a sensitive side," Micky snickered.
“I am here to help!” Astrid smiled “Now what do you say we finish breakfast? I didn’t fully recharge.” With that Astrid walked back to the table and retrieved her box and continued to recharge.
“Now that’s gonna take some getting use to,” Mike said as they followed Astrid back to the table.
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
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