That was the key to Stormy. I thought she didn't think she'd like Alexander's girlfriend - one that wasn't Luna. And now that she found we did have things in common, it wasn't something she'd expected.
Just then Nightmare darted into my room and jumped on my windowsill, curling up next to the curtain.
"You have a cat, too?" she asked.
"Yes, her name is Nightmare."
"She's so cute. Can I hold her?"
"Sure."
"Sure."
I scooped up my cat and petted her as I took her over to Stormy. "Alexander gave her to me. He found her in an old railroad car when she was a kitten." I placed Nightmare in her arms. Stormy snuggled up to the black feline and caressed the bridge of her nose.
"I think she likes you," I said.
"I have Phantom, and you have Nightmare."
I could hear Nightmare softly purring. "I wonder if they'd get along."
"That would be cool to find out," I agreed. "I think Nightmare would love the Mansion." Stormy played with Nightmare for a bit before she placed her back on the windowsill. "Can I look around some more?" she asked.
"Of course you can." I sat at my computer chair and watched as she held up outfits in front of herself. "You have some really awesome clothes. Where did you find this?"
She held up a three-quarter-length black-and-red knitted shirt.
"I got it at a thrift store and poked some holes in it."
"Fabulous!" she said. "I like this." She held up a black lace minidress. "I wish I had it." I wasn't sure how to respond. No one had ever wanted to have some S toidtthing of mine, unless it was Billy Boy asking for computer paper.
"Uh... I think it might be a little big," I said. "But maybe - "
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." She began putting it back. It was as if her mind had caught up to her mouth. She avoided eye contact, and she appeared slightly embarrassed.
"No - you can take it," I said. I had such trouble finding clothes in Dullsville that each outfit I did find meant something special to me. But this was the first time in my life that someone else appreciated them. "Please take it," I insisted. "I'm sure Jameson can find a tailor in town to fit it for you."
"You think?" she asked, excited, as if I'd given her a hundred dollars.
"Yes, I think it would look great on you."
"I can wear it to a dance," she said, modeling it.
Just then Billy walked by my door.
"Who's that?" she asked.
"My dopey brother."
"You have a brother?"
"Yes. Didn't Alexander tell you?"
"No."
"Has Alexander told you anything about me?" I pried, but Stormy now appeared more interested in my brother than hers as she continued to stare out the doorway.
"Can I meet him?" she asked.