*****
Tom could hear Celia calling for him as he squeezed out from the portal. She was coming down the stairs; it was morning and she was ready for work.
“What happened to you last night?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” he replied, and pulled her robe tight around his shoulders.
“I woke up, and you weren’t there.”
“I was here, downstairs.”
“I came down; I didn’t see you.”
“Well,” he paused, “I was there,” and pointed to the couch.
“Oh,” she replied unsure.
“I came down for a snack and must have fallen asleep watching the news,” he easily explained, as he went upstairs to get dressed.