I am Baaack! Part 12

Besides, don't they tell us every Christmas that we should keep Christmas all year 'round?" There was a lump in Sukie's left foot that was not repeated in her right foot. She would have to wait till later, after Dainie went to bed, to investigate further, but she was almost sure she'd find a miniature microphone and transmitter. That was okay; she wanted Rose to know what Dainie was experiencing.

Dainie giggled again. "You're funny, Dr. Joan." Then, as if it just occurred to her, she got a sly look on her face. "If I'm your present, where's my present?"

Joan laughed in spite of herself. If this wasn't real, if it really was Adain Ben Hariesh inside the cute packaging, he was one HELL of a good actor! "That's my surprise, sweetie." She handed Sukie back to Dainie, with the comment that one of the quarter sandwiches was for the doll. "You get to pick it out; we're going SHOPPING!"

Dainie's eyes lit up. "Really, Dr. Joan? Really? Where? I love FAO Schwarz, Dr. Joan; they have really neat toys there, and about a zillion Barbies! When, Dr. Joan? When?" She was almost bouncing in her chair.

Sukie, forgotten for a moment, had slumped over and looked to Joan somewhat like a bag lady seated on a curb and about ready to puke. "FAO Schwarz it is, my dear. Although I don't know if Michigan Avenue is ready for a couple of power shoppers like you and I."

Dainie was giggling again, and it was infectious; Joan found herself starting to giggle, too. She started to reach to grab Dainie up into a hug, and then with a shock realized she'd forgotten for a moment that the little girl she was going to do that to was really a full grown man; she had been caught in the illusion.

"You talk just like Mommy, Dr. Joan," commented Dainie. "Can we go right now? Sukie wasn't hungry, so I ate her part of the sandwich." She rescued the presumably purged Sukie from her slumped over position and held her in her lap.