It was almost six before a tired girl walked up the long driveway. Anna had quite a day, her time to listen as Circe spun her propaganda. She had a relaxing time sitting in her favorite spot as cars whizzed by. Then too her encounter with the late Mister Egg Man Cox who followed her back home with a singular hope of getting food.
It was her Daddy that watched the girl dragging each foot along as she came up the drive. "Bet the birthday girl had a long day!" he said.
"Oh yes Daddy it was quite the day! I sat in my spot to watch the people driving by and talked with Mister Cox for a time." replied Anna.
"COX! I told you not to talk to that crooked old man!" argued her Father back.
"Oh I don't think he'll bother anyone again, he's a changed man!" said Anna with a grin. "See here Daddy the big doggy that followed me home, can we keep him?"
The Bloodhound Mastiff mix stood with a long tongue lolling from it's big mouth. The look of a true bastard among dogs was this one. Ruffled fur and strange mix of tan and reddish brown colors made him look like a wild dog rather than something tame.
"Feed him if you wish but if I were you I'd kick him out of here and be rid of the ugly beast!" grumbled Daddy.
Anna spoke to the big dog telling it to lay by the barn till she could get him some food. Her Father marvelled as the dog did as it was told.
Anna's run in with Mr. Cox was real news as the evening news on Tv told of finding his truck and clothing near the headwaters of McKenna Creek. A scouting party was being requested by the local Sheriff office, but as yet not one person offered to help.
Ken tried to talk with his younger Sister but for some reason she paid little attention to him. After dinner Ken came to Anna and asked if he'd done anything to make her angry. Again Anna ignored his questions and went about her own business.
It was near 10pm. when Anna's Father asked her if she was mad at Ken? "Odd for you not to talk or play around with Ken after supper, something wrong Anna?" he asked.
Anna was pressured by Circe to ignor her Father but Anna tried to press Circe's demands away. "No Daddy I guess I'm just tired after a long day!"
As Anna crawled into bed for the night, Ken came in to wish her pleasent dreams. A kind smile greeted him, but as he went to give her the normal nighty night kiss her golden ring reached out and touched the front of his jammies.