Alfred

Duke's unzipped parka slid off one shoulder as he stared at the grey house wanning under an darkening sky. The drizzle was turning to snow and dusting his think lashes.

"What happened here?" Duke asked.

"My childhood."

"Did someone die here?"

"Not exactly." Aislin thought about the shadow of her mother haunting the house. "Come in. There's a couple of somebodies I'd like you to meet."

Duke entered the house his eyes roving and searching for tangible evidence of the sad spirits he perceived. Clocks ticked. The furnace hummed. "There's no one here."

Aislin tapped his should to turn his around. She walked two fingers across her palm.

Duke wrinkled his brow and shook his head. "What?"

She grabbed his hand and walked his hand and marched her fingers across his palm. "Walk?" Duke said.

Suddenly there was a thud overhead followed by a cacophony of movement.

"What the--?"

Alfred rounded the corner, misjudged the turn, and slid into the wall. Alfred recovered, knocked Aislin out of the way and plopped his rump down in front of Duke. The dog's massive head was level with Duke's navel.

"Hello friend," Duke said.

Alfred nuzzled the boy, flipping Duke's hand on top of his head. The boy began to laugh. It was the sort of bouyant laugh that filled the room.

"What's his name?" he asked through giggles.

"Sir Alfred Pennyworth III."

The dog chuffed and looked back at him.

"Batman's butler?"

Photo: nikkiburr