He tapped his nose, chuckled, and quipped, "And your face is pretty red."

I was stunned into silence.

Is too much blush really such a crime?

Jack's parents were as welcoming as ever, serving up a feast filled with all my favorites.

I was digging in with gusto until Jack's mom chimed in unexpectedly.

"Did the cat make it back?"

Jack nodded affirmatively.

His mom set her fork down with a stern look.

"I heard pregnant women shouldn't be around pets. What if Sophie ends up pregnant?"

Her words were so startling that I choked on the fish I was eating.

A bone lodged in my throat, and I couldn't get it out by all means.

That sent everyone into a panic, and Jack whisked me off to the hospital without delay.

Fortunately, it wasn't deep, and the doctor removed it quickly with tweezers.

"How's your throat feeling now?"

Jack handed me a cup of warm water and some pain relievers.

I shook my head, indicating I was okay.

My throat was fine, but his mom's comment had scared me more than a little.

"Jack, you initially brought me in to stand in for Lady."

"Now that she's back, when are we planning to divorce?"

That was really eating at me.