Surprise!

“Mom, what are you doing?” Dobby asks.

“Checking my coffee.” Writer Lady looks up at the cat standing on the table with the computer. “For stray grounds.”

“You're drinking that coffee? I thought it was full of grounds.”

“I poured it through another filter, very carefully.”

Dobby sniffs at the cup. “It doesn't smell very good.”

“I think all of the grounds got caught in the filter when I poured it. Besides,” Writer Lady takes a sip, “I've had worse. It's not like it's molded or anything.”

“I think in 2014 we should work on raising your standards a little bit Mom.”

“Why? It's not like I've gotten sick or anything.”

“Mom people die from food poisoning. Don't forget. I'm really important. I don't like anyone else enough to let them feed me.” Dobby says.

“You're right kitty. I shouldn't be so selfish. Pie?” Writer Lady asks.

Dobby sniffs at the plate. “What kind?”

“Lemon Meringue.”

“Mom, that lemon pie is greenish purple. It's growing tentacles.”

“Maybe we shouldn't eat this then. I'll put it in the trash.” Writer Lady takes the pie into the kitchen to throw it away.

“Mom? Put some bug spray on it too. Just in case.” Dobby muttering. “I better not find that thing crawling around the house later tonight.”

“Psst...”

Dobby ignores the sound and heads over to the blanket chest for a nap.

“PSSSST! Dobby!”

Looking up, Dobby sees that it is Tinkletoes standing hidden in the darkened hallway. TP is fluttering back and forth alternating hovering over Tinkletoes' right shoulder and then his left. Tinkletoes gestures for Dobby to come into the hall. Taking one last look at Writer Lady who is looking at kitten pictures on FB instead of writing, Dobby silently jumps off the blanket chest and heads into the hallway.

“What's she doing in there?” Tinkletoes asks.

“Pretending to write.” Dobby answers.

“You have to make her stop. We can't surprise her like this. We need that room.”

“I know. I was waiting for you to be ready. If I sent her away too soon Mom might come back early.”

Tinkletoes looks at TP. TP looks into the living room over Tinkletoes' shoulder. Furnatche, Aunt Purdy, Peter, Paige and Dylan all look back at TP expectantly. TP looks back at Tinkletoes and nods. Tinkletoes turns back to Dobby. “We're ready. Now get her out of here.”

“Okay.” Dobby turns around, does a full body stretch, touches up the fur on the top of his head then heads back into the computer room.

“Mom. Did you get Grandma's message?”

Not turning away from the kitten pictures, “No what message?”

“Grandpa fell down, he's drooling and can't eat his cake. She needs you to come over and eat it for him.”

Writer Lady turns to face Dobby. “Whaaa?”

“I'm not kidding Mom. Call and check.”

Writer Lady picks up her phone to call. “Wait,” she says, “there's a text.” Your father has fallen he is drooling so much he can't eat cake. Come eat cake. Or whatever Dobby said. “That's weird. I better go check on her and Dad. I never should have let her and TP start texting each other. I knew that was going to bite me in the butt sooner or later. I would have preferred later. Much later.”

Writer Lady leaves. Mission accomplished.

Several Hours Later...

“It is so late. I don't know how I'm ever going to get this week's post written.” Writer Lady says hurrying through the house, turning on lights, closing blinds and generally fussing.

“Grandpa is fine. I have no idea what she was talking about. She has no idea what that text was about. Do you know she doesn't even remember sending it?”

Writer Lady looks at Dobby, starting to ask a question when she sees the computer room light is on. “Did I leave a light on kitty? I don't remember doing that.” Mom heads for the room, pauses, grabs the Big Red Flashlight and brandishes it like the weapon few people realize it can be. She approaches the computer room's door. Reaching out, she turns the knob and gives it a push.

“SURPRISE!” Everyone yells. Tinkletoes jumps out from behind the door with TP riding on his nose. The faerie is wearing a clown suit.

In a matter of seconds Tinkletoes had been hit across the nose, smacked on the forehead and taken a hard hit to the groin. The mercenary lands on his knees pale and groaning in pain.

“Oh no, I did it again.” Writer Lady leans down and asks Tinkletoes, “Are you hurt?”

Tinkletoes groans.

“I'm so sorry.”

More groaning.

“Someone please get some ice.” Writer Lady says. A bright red wheelbarrow appears full of ice packs. The wheelbarrow lifts up and empties itself right in front of Tinkletoes. Tinkletoes reaches for the ice packs, positions most of them between his legs and Tinkletoes squats down into the ice. As his color returns he hands ice packs to Peter and Aunt Purdy who ice his forehead and nose for him.

“Oh no! TP! I've hurt TP.” Writer Lady yells in despair.

Tinkletoes looks up at Writer Lady, glares at her for a minute and rolls his eyes.

“Don't worry Writer Lady. I caught him before he hit the wall.” Paige approaches carrying the faerie in her palm.  TP's breathing is labored, his cone shaped clown hat is dangling from one ear.  The faerie is muttering strange words in between breaths but seems no worse for the wear.

“Oh you poor little thing. I'm so sorry.”

Tinkletoes rolls his eyes again.

“Do you need anything TP?”

TP looks down at Tinkletoes. Tinkletoes looks at TP and growls.

TP grins widely at Tinkletoes...