******034: Normal

They drove to his house, ate in the kitchen and then let the dogs and monkey out for exercise. Kell changed the laundry and then while Maille was occupied with the pets, he made a few phone calls.

She felt like a normal human being. Like she did at home, not around celebrity. And she wondered how he kept his anonymity. 

And suddenly she knew. They make up things because he won't give them anything. He's too big a star in his own right, they need to make up things about him to satisfy their desire to gossip about everybody and everything. But Kell didn't need them. He made it on his own.

It was the first time she actually wondered why he had no assistants, no bodyguards, or a manager attending him constantly. These people were part of her own daily life when touring or in the studio with Megan and Melia.

She spotted Kell's jaunty step as he came down the leveled patio to the animal venue. He was carrying two glasses. He handed one to her, some kind of shake. It was pink. She sipped it. She knew he loved to cook, or at least concoct.

"So," she said. "You're leaving the end of the week."

"Astute of you."

"What do you do with your animals?"

"I was hoping I'd leave them here. Perhaps you could care for them ..."

"You were hoping?"

"It just came to me." he started walking back toward the house and the second tiered patio with the patio furniture. He had that, but nothing inside, she mused. "You're out of work these days. You could use the job."

Maille laughed. "Yeah."

"So..."

"Sure." she grinned. "But I'll have to drive one of your cars, or buy one of my own sometime soon."

"You may have your pick, or I'll buy you one. What would you like?"

He was too eager. "You can't buy me a car."

"I can." he said. "But I know you won't let me."

She raised her glass. "Right."

Kell eyed her dubiously. "Will you stay in my house?"

Maille considered. "I'll bring a sleeping bag." she thought he'd offer to buy her a bed, but he nodded.

"Okay."

"I can go sign papers to become Myndee's guardian. Would you like to come with me?" It was the first time he'd asked her if she wanted to come with him.

"Thanks."

"It shows I respect you. Now get in the car, in in in." he grinned and they departed.

*****