Aloran returned to the bedroom and a concerned Ivy.

"What was making that noise?" she asked.. "It almost sounded like conversation."

Al made a decision. "Some sort of feral feline. The kitchen windows weren't latched and they'd gotten into the refrigerator and were eating ice cream."

"How in the world did they open the freezer?" Ivy asked in wonder.

"I have no idea," Al responded. "They disappeared as soon as I turned on the lights so I didn't get a good look at them."

"I've latched the windows and cleaned up. Let's go back to sleep," Al continued.

And within minutes, he was so.

Ivy took much longer to return to sleep, wondering what had been in her kitchen.

THE END