February 2003 Second Prize "Sunrise" When the alarm clock struck 0600 its shrill blast knocked Annette to wakefulness. She turned it off and laid in her bed a few moments to gain coherence of where she was. She felt Tom's warm body pressed against her own. He had already begun stretching, but was too lazy to get up. She lightly ran a finger across his cheek, his eyes still shut. "You must've slept better then I did. Lucky.. I envy you." She got up and began walking about the room getting dressed. Tom sat up and watched her, never speaking, just watching. If it had been anyone else Annette would have felt nervous, even guilty; her body wasn't perfect after all. But she felt comfortable around Tom. "Do you want breakfast?" she asked Tom. She finished putting on her socks and padded out to the kitchen. Tom hopped off the bed and padded after her. He leapt on the counter and sat there, resolving to not move. She scratched his chin, and admonished him in a hushed tone, "what did I tell you about counters? You stay on the floor." She picked him up and gently placed him on the kitchen tiles. She opened a can of catfood and placed it in a bowl, and put the bowl on the floor. Tom began eating the food hungrily. She patted his head, somehow he purred while he ate. "I don't have time to clean the kitty box this morning, I'll do it tonight. Don't make any messes." He didn't look up, just kept eating. She put her shoes on; she smiled as she walked out the door. Love between a woman and her pet. Contributed by Dalem (S) Copyright © 2003 Evelyn Aleridge. May not be used without the author's written permission. To get back to Contest Winners, just close this window. Submissions to Scribe contests are all offered by members of Sisters of the Golden Moon. If you are a member and would like to contribute to future contests, please contact Galaxy Star Honor74 . Except where noted, all articles, submissions and graphics are copyright © 2004, Sisters of the Golden Moon, all rights reserved. To the best of our knowledge, all entries submitted to Scribe contests are the original work of the person submitting them. Graphics created by Heronwing for Sisters of the Golden Moon. "Devotion" image copyright © 2002 Amy Brown Art. Note: This webset was created prior to Ms. Brown's new restrictions on use of her art. To the best of our knowledge, Ms. Brown has allowed continued use of the sets made prior to those restrictions. We thank her for her continued generosity.