Sybil watered Grape and Ivy and was about to pick up Tom's empty saucer when the doorbell rang.

Company?  This early? "I wonder who that could be?"  She asked the gang.  "Good news or bad news, what do ya'll think?"

In her mind, she heard Tom say, "It's my owner."  Immediately followed by Ivy, "It's your future." 

Sybil stared at Ivy, looking perky again after being thrown to the floor.  Tom was staring toward the front door, ears forward and tail slowly brushing back and forth across the floor.

"It's probably the men in white coats, come to take me away to the looney bin."  A quick, puzzled look toward her plants and cat, Sybil headed for the door as it rang a second time.  I didn't really hear Ivy and Tom say that, did I.  Of course not.  I swear, no more alcohol!

At the door stood a man.  Tall, dark, handsome and...stop it, Sybil, that's so cliché.

The instant their eyes met, something flashed between them.  Whatever it was caused Sybil to instantly blush; in the man's case, it was instant nervousness.

"Hi, sorry to bother you but I live just down the street and another neighbor called to tell me that she had seen my cat that I've been looking for for weeks and she..." 

He stopped suddenly, caught his breath and smiled.  "I'm sorry, let me try that again.  My name is Nick."