An evening at the bar, continued.

"So what do you do when you're not making music with Isabel?" you ask Frank.

"I work at a phone repair shop. You wouldn't believe the things people do to their phones, I could tell you some crazy stories."

But Ashley doesn't care about those stories. "Do you know any other pets that earn their own money?"

"Hmm?" He thinks for a while. "I know some help out at their owners' jobs. One of my dad's friends trains dogs and her pets spend a lot of time with the animals, but I don't think they consider what they do with them work."

"I am not doing this for the money either," Isabel reminds her. "I prefer to sing for an audience, but I sing when it's just me and Frank and when I'm by myself too. That getting paid to make music allows Frank to spend more time with me instead of at his job is a nice bonus of course, and my fancier costumes are not exactly cheap."

She up-pitches the last bit like a question with a glance at Frank, who nods in confirmation. "I wouldn't be able to afford them if I spent all day repairing phones, that's for sure."

"Whatever you're paying is worth it," Tibby says. "The way the light ripples on your feathers... you're almost as eye-catching as the little sparkly fish in the pet park pond."

"Interesting way to put it," you tease your pet, "but not wrong. You look as good as you sound, Isabel."

Isabel takes your compliments in stride and finishes her water. "Thank you guys. And thank you for coming out tonight, I wasn't sure you would. I'd like to talk longer, but I need to use the restroom and then it's back on stage for Frank and me."

Frank watches her walk away and sips at the remains of his drink. "We'll be up there for most of the night. We really do appreciate you giving us another chance, but you don't have to stay until we're done. Just give me a call sometime, will you?"

You agree wholeheartedly and order another round of drinks while Frank approaches the stage. The conversations around you become muted again when people see him up there. The canned music fades out as he sits down behind the piano, and the spotlights turn on just in time to catch Isabel walk in from the from the side of the stage.

Your drinks arrive and Ashley and Tibby quietly adjust their chairs so you're all on the same side of the table, looking up at the duo as the feathery young woman hoists herself onto the piano. Frank slowly begins tapping away at the keys while she makes herself comfortable. When Isabel hears her cue she starts singing a low crooning melody, and you settle in to listen.

Several songs later, your glasses empty, you sublty attract Isabel's attention and wave goodbye. She waves back, and uses a lull in her song to blow each of you a kiss before you leave.

"Not the kind of show I was expecting after the way they approached us at the park," Tibby says while you unlock your car.

"I don't know what I would have done if we'd walked into a burlesque show or something," Ashley giggles as everyone piles in.

You and Tibby comment on this or that aspect of Isabel's performance as you drive, but apart from her first remark Ashley is quiet and thoughtful. You're kind of worried about her when you get home and she still hasn't said anything, so you pull her onto the couch while Tibby goes to the bathroom.

Sitting sideways to look at Ashley, you put a hand on her arm. "What's got you so pensive? Is everything alright?"

It takes a while for her to find the words. "Do you think..." she starts, only to break off when Tibby comes out of the bathroom and plops down beside her.

Ashley reaches out to squeeze Tibby's hand before trying again. "John, how do you feel about me going to college?"

"You don't want to be my bunny anymore?" You ask, unable to keep the disappointment out of your voice.

"I do! I really do like being a pet girl. But why does that have to be all I am? Why can't I be a pet and go to college?"

Tibby lookes shocked, but she's quick to jump to Ashley's support. "Hey, yeah! There's no rule against it. Who's gonna stop her if she wants to go?"

You try to break it to them gently. "What Ashley wants to do isn't as simple as singing at a bar. Even if she's accepted and makes it through college, finding a job at a biology lab would be a challenge. They're more likely to want you as specimens than researchers."

Ashley looks at you like you just punched her in the face. "How can we know if you won't even let me try!?"

Tibby pulls her into a hug and glares at you. You've really stepped in it now, you've upset one girl and pissed the other off.

"I didn't say I forbid it! I can't stop you if that's what you decide to do, I'm just trying to be realistic. It'd break my heart if I sent you out with high hopes only to have them dashed by some asshole professor or scientist refusing to work with you."

"You think I'm that naive? I know how hard it'll be, that's why I'm asking for your support!" she exclaims with a choked up voice.

"You have it! Ash, you have it. If you're determined to pursue a degree and a career, I'm with you all the way."

"All the way?" she asks, her voice muffled by Tibby's shoulder.

"Ashley, I will personally beat up any nerd who dares to stand in your way."

"And I'll hold them down while he does it," Tibby growls protectively. Her stomach growls too, which somehow lightens the mood.

Letting Ashley out of her embrace, she uses her thumb to wipe at her eyes. "Now I don't know much about college, but why don't we whip up something to eat and talk about it?"