Chapter 13

Timepiece: 13.

As I gazed fondly at Pyewacket, she shrunk. Oh, her head kept its changes, but her body lost it's appeal. A kitten. Maybe. When I thought she was Tom, she looked older.

What is it with the watch?

"You're getting it," said Six.

"Getting what?"

"The watch changes things. Tom was older ... five or six years older ... and male. The watch ... well ... like the gods, the watches do have a sense of humor and they will have their little joke ... now and again." he said. "As I said, they change things; that is our intention. This is as far as our mandate allows. We don't ... can't ... MAKE ... you people quit the harmful things you do. All we can do is arrange for good people to find our watches and let nature take its course. The watches we make are for women. Even with their irrational behavior four to six days every month they have it more together than you dick driven males. You never get over lust.

"That's why the other watches ... the ones men find end up killing the finder. And it's not the watch that does it ... it's the driving lust to have it your way that does it. The ultimate, Hey, Ya'll, watch this usually accompanied by, Hold my beer.

"When a woman comes into possession of one of those watches, those watches end up with us ... we trade." He was gone.

"Wendy?"

She was in the kitchen ... right behind me.

"Yes?"

Scared the living shit outta me.

"Don't do that!"

She wound her arms around my neck, I picked her up and she kissed me.

Have I mentioned that Wendy is vertically challenged? I mean ... her feet do reach the ground when she stands but if she wants hugs her head lies on my chest ... it's six of one and a half dozen of the other whether she's closer to my big brain or the other one.

"What say we do something?" I said.

"Like what?" Wendy asked.

"How about you choose?"

"You mean, I make a suggestion and you decide if you want it or not?"

"Nope ... you choose," I said. "What ever ... we'll do it."

"Hundred percent?" she looked hopeful. "I say and that's it?"

"Yup ... and don't be thinking up something I'll like. Whatever you choose ... we'll do it."

Shopping, Pyewacket suggested.

"I don't know, Pye," I said. "Where would you like to shop?"

Egypt. That watch?

Wendy said, "Pyewacket ... that's a marvelous idea. When shall we go?"

"I suggest 1873," I said. "We join Amelia Edwards on her journey up the Nile."

"Marvelous," said Wendy. "Who shall we be?"

"Curious American tourists interested in the pyramids, the sphinx and the stories of huge stoneworks up river."

"Great ... why are we there?"

"Touring Europe on our honeymoon."

"Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

It's just a little maroon velvet box with a stand up lid but I had it in my pocket.

"That's a go," she said.

You two are sooo romantic, Pyewacket said sarcastically, I can't hardly stand it.

"How will we get there?"

RMS Oceanic sailed from New York with a cute couple from Michigan. Accompanied by their strange looking Egyptian Mau. Arriving in Liverpool they entrained to London where Mr. Austin purchased a gentleman's wardrobe. On to Dover and Calais by ferry and Paris by locomotive. Mrs. Austin spent like a sailor in the shops. Europe, being cold and wet in 1873, the newlyweds traveled to Rome, hoping for warmer weather but, sadly, Rome was cold. The Toe was no better.

Our intrepid adventurers crossed the Strait to Messina and traveled to Porto Palo where they took ship to Alexandria and on to Cairo, where they fell in with Amelia Edwards. They were both seeking warmth. Arrangements were made and they accompanied the Edwards expedition up the Nile. The Austin's are at home in Lansing. The home is a marvel of Egyptian Antiquities and Grecian marble. They will be speaking of their Journey up the Nile at the Lansing Auditorium on May 9th. Please attend. Admission is free but donations for continued exploration in the Sands of Egypt will be welcome.