Chapter 36

           JUBALWOKEUPALERT,rested,andhappy,realizedthathefeltbetterbeforebreakfastthanhehadinyears.Foralong,longtimehehadbeengettingthroughthatblackperiodbetweenwakingandthefirstcupofcoffeebycomfortinghimselfwiththethoughtthattomorrowmightbealittleeasier.

           Thismorninghefoundhimselfwhistling,whichhedidverybadly.Henoticedit,stoppedhimself,forgotitandstartedupagain.

           Hesawhimselfinthemirror,smiledwryly,thengrinnedopenly."Youincorrigibleoldgoat.They’llbesendingthewagonforyouanyminutenow."Henoticedawhitehaironhischest,pluckeditout,didn’tbotherwithmanyothersjustaswhite,wentonmakinghimselfreadytofacetheworld.

           WhenhewentoutsidehisdoorJillwasthere.Accidentally?No,henolongertrustedany"coincidence"inthismnage;itwasasorganizedasacomputer.Shecamestraightintohisarms."Jubal–Oh,weloveyouso!ThouartGod."

           Hereturnedherkissaswarmlyasitwasgiven,grokkingthatitwouldbehypocriticalnotto–anddiscoveringthatkissingJilldifferedfromkissingDawnonlyinsomefashionunmistakablebututterlybeyondinstrumentordescription.

           Presentlyheheldherawayfromhimwithoutlettinghergo."YoubabyMessalina?youframedme."

           "Jubaldarling?youwerewonderful!"

           "Uh?howthehelldidyouknowIwasable?"

           Shegavehimbackagazeofclear-eyedinnocence."Why,Jubal,I’vebeencertainofthateversinceMikeandIfirstlivedathome.