"Well," Ted began.
But Ann rose hastily. "Heavens, I forgot I had soup on the stove." The screen door slammed behind her.
His eyes went to the blonde, moved away, came back.
"Dreams, that's all you've got!"
Ted looked at the doorway, but it was vacant. He looked down at the patio below, but the blonde was quiescent. Besides, the voice had been closer.
And there was nobody in view. There was one small, scrubby squirrel looking at him from the base of the nutmeg tree. Squirrels don't talk.
Through the screen, Ted heard dimly the movements of Ann in the kitchen, and below, the blonde had her eyes closed. Nobody, nobody, nobody....
He said, "What do you mean, dreams?" and watched the squirrel closely.
"Don't be stupid," the voice said. The squirrel hadn't opened its mouth.
Ted rose, and looked through the screen door, but Ann was still in the kitchen, her back to him. Down on her patio, the blonde didn't stir.