Angus didn't fall back asleep that night. I woke up with him twirling the ends of my hair. Eyes red, movements slow, breathing heavy. Completely out of it. It took a few taps on his nose to get his attention.

The dream he had that night was unspoken. I hinted at it numerous occasions only to receive a change of subject every time. We had the day off so I spent it with him, like we used to. But he didn't seem as attentive as he used to be. A couple words here and there turned to nods which resulted in me getting his attention again.

"I'm thankful for this nice weather we've been having," I noted. "It's warm isn't it?"

Angus swirled the tea in his mug. "Yeah."

"Don't have to wear a coat all the time." He nodded slowly, letting the thought sink in.

"It's good." I eyed him. The sky was grey that morning and started to sprinkle a little. I was testing him and he didn't pass.

"So uh, Angus. I've been meaning to tell you something." No response. The tea still swirled by his hand, the other supporting his head. "I uh, met someone on my recent adventures."

"That's nice."

"Yeah. He is." His hand paused for a second before resuming. "He's terrific. Tall, caring, handsome, he's from Italy you know." I smirked. "And he's such a gentleman too."

Angus' hand turned white as he gripped the mug tighter. "Oh really."

"Yep. And, I wasn't gonna tell anyone just yet, but I wanted you to be the first to know. We went on a couple of dates while I was gone. You know, before I went up on stage. He promised to take me to Italy one day, if I wanted to. Of course I said yes, I mean, who'd say no to Italy? Right?"

"Right..." The mug's pace quickened and the liquid inside splashed over the rim.

"And before I left, he asked me to marry him. I'm engaged! Isn't that great?"

"What?!" Angus yelled as he slammed the mug down. Tea dripped off his blanched fingers.

"Oh, now you're paying attention."

"What the bloody fuckin' hell are you goin' on about, engaged?"

"When I get engaged, you get enraged huh?"

"Answer my damn question." I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair.

"No Angus. I'm not engaged especially to a man who doesn't exist." He frowned, his lips parted slightly.

"Why would you say something like that?"

"Just making sure you were listening." He sipped his tea. A napkin was placed on his fingers.

"Course I'm listenin', no need for tales like that."

"But ever since that dream last night you've-"

"That was just a dream."

"But-"

"Doesn't mean anything." I narrowed my eyes.

"I'm not convinced."

"Well..." He took another drink. "That's too bad."

"It's okay. I'll get it out of you." I stood up from the table and he grabbed my arm.

"Just so we're clear, this guy doesn't exist right? He's not real?" I smiled at him. "There's no Italian creep runnin' 'round-gropin' you up right?" I laughed.

"Right."

"You're not engaged?"

"Don't worry Angus, you've got nothing to worry about."

"How 'bout you answer that first, then we'll see if there's worryin' to be done."

"No."

"Good," he mumbled letting go of my arm.

"What, you weren't-jealous were you?" Angus pouted and turned away from me. Wrapping my arms around his neck from behind, I gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You're ridiculous." I walked back to my room to change.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Angus. Angus. Angus. What are we gonna do with you?" Angus glanced up to see Bon at the table, feet propped up. "Jealous for a young girl."

"Bug off!" Angus dipped his hand in his cup and splashed it on Bon who held his hands up.

"Hey now, no foul play. Jus' a bit of fun."

"Some fun," Angus sneered. "And she's not that much younger than me."

"You're right. You're just a hundred years older than her!" Bon erupted in a fit of laughter.

"Sod," Angus mumbled. Bon wiped his eyes and patted his knee.

"Sorry mate," he chuckled. "Uh, anyway. So I want to hear more about this dream of yours."

"You mean nightmare?"

"Whatever tickles your fancy." Angus sighed. "Come on now..."

Bon nodded intently as Angus spilled all the details. What he could remember anyway. "Do you know where you were?"

"No idea." Bon ran a hand through his hair.

"Ah, it-probably was just a dream. Like you said."

"Yeah, but you know-I can't shake it."

"Shake what?"

"This-bad, I don't know, weird feeling I got."

"Like jealousy?"

"No! Like-it'll happen or something you know?"

"Ang with a dream as vague as that one, there's not a good chance of it comin' true."

"But-" Bon waved his hand.

"Don't put so much thought into it Ang, right now you gotta calm the fuck down about Hannah's announcement. If she really was engaged, so what? Why are your panties in a million knots?"

Angus couldn't come up with a good response try as he might. "Don't you have some guy's drink to steal?"

"Ain't five 'o clock yet Angie," Bon grinned.

"Never stopped you before."

"Didn't I tell you I was gonna change my evil ways? One a these days?" Angus looked at him, saddened.

"Jus' a day too late I suppose."

I came back to Angus' room where we played Chinese Checkers. We found a box under the bed, dusty and worn. The game still worked of course, though only up to four people could play it. Green and white were each missing a piece.

"I win," Angus smiled cheekily. I threw a blue piece at him. "Hey, can't lose any more of these."

"Wanna play again? Or somethin' else?"

"Should probably try somethin' else, can't have you lose a third time," he laughed.

"Very funny." Angus stood up to put the game away and came back with a tin of dominoes.

"Here we go, some good old fashioned fun."

"Ooh, there a lot?"

"Enough for a good time."

"Let's do it."

We spent half an hour taking turns carefully lining up the dominoes. Our train stretched from the kitchen, under the table, and around the couch. Straight, proud, and long. It was a masterpiece.

It was a masterpiece.

"I haven't done this since I was a kid," Angus commented. "My back knows it too."

"You better keep up old man, we still got a hundred more to go."

"Old man?" He scoffed. "I still got a hundred years left in me."

"You and these dominoes."

"Maybe you're just too quick puttin' 'em up. This whole train could fall with your carelessness."

"I'm as careful as a cupcake."

"What's that mean?" I shrugged.

"Dunno." He smiled. "Ooh, or cute as a cupcake."

"That one doesn't make a whole lot of sense either. But I can't argue with it."

"What happens if we run outta room?"

"Just have to get creative I guess." He stuck a few more in. "How many are left?"

"Too many to count. Why?"

"Time to get creative." I looked at the train.

"We'll just have to make some room. But be careful."

"Yep." Angus stood up and went to the kitchen to scoot the dominoes a little closer together. As I counted how many were left in the box, I heard a sound. Not a big one, but definitely need for concern. One by one our dominoes fell into the next, and quicker than a wink, they were all slanted on the ground. Our masterpiece train had been derailed.

"Angus?" I called.

"...yeah?"

"What happened?" He came back out to the living room, arms behind his back.

"I uh, slipped."

"You sure did." Rocking back and forth on his feet, I came up to him. "You are not as careful as a cupcake."

"'Nother go then," he smiled pulling me into a playful hug.