Chapter 3

Preparations

Jeannie woke even before her Master. Excitement kept her from sleep, but instead of tossing and turning, she chose to get busy and prepare for the evening's event. She had seen the stories on the TV news and in the morning paper, that she had just blinked into her hands, was the headline: "Cocoa Beach readies for tonight's Lunar Eclipse!" She read how residents were already staking their spots all over the beach to catch the very best view of the lunar event.

She peaked over the patio terrace toward the beach and smiled at the early morning beach goers who, just like the newspaper described, had their blankets and umbrellas marking their spots in the sand. Most had telescopes positioned and ready, and in one blink, Tony's scope was no longer in the study but now stood center stage on the patio.

Jeannie looked up, it was a lovely spring morning with only a few cumulus clouds peppering the sky. The gentle cool breeze from the beach made her think that even she could not conjure up a more beautiful day. As she finished moving the patio table to accommodate the newly arrived telescope, Jeannie sighed as she thought of the one thing that would make it absolutely perfect, if only her Master would spend the day at home. At dinner she had asked him if he could but he had mentioned an important meeting with a General Orland, so she knew her pleading would fall on deaf ears. She playfully smiled at the thought of giving it just one more try.

Jeannie started to make her way to the kitchen when she heard a noise from her Master's bedroom.

She quickly walked to the door, listened and then gently knocked.

"Master?" Jeannie called out softly. When no answer came, she quietly opened the door. She saw Tony siting on the bed staring at the floor, he didn't notice her come in. Jeannie's concern grew as she saw the vacant look on his face. "Master?" Her last call brought Tony out of his trance. "Master, is anything wrong?"

Tony glanced up toward Jeannie and saw the look of concern on her face and quickly tried to ease it, he managed a faint anxious smile and said, "No, no, nothings wrong. I accidentally knocked the clock on the floor, that's all." Before Tony finished his words, he could once again hear the faint tick tick tick as his clock once again sat in its designated spot. "Oh, Thank you Jeannie."

Worried over his ashen appearance, Jeannie sat beside him on the bed, "You are welcome Master. Are you sure there is nothing wrong? Are you not feeling well?" As she reached up to feel his face, certain she would feel the warm evidence of a fever, Tony gently pulled her hand away and held it, "No, no, I'm fine, a bit tired maybe but fine." He then quickly rose from the bed and as he did, he avoided making eye contact for fear she would see through his words.

Tony knew her uncanny sense of intuition was already peaked, so as he tightened the belt of his red robe he quickly attempted to change the topic of conversation,"Jeannie what were you doing earlier? I could hear all the noise from in here." Jeannie's worried expression was quickly replaced by her earlier excitement. "I was just getting ready for tonight."

"Jeannie we have all day to get ready, whats the hurry?"

"Oh Master, its just so exciting. I cannot wait!"

Tony laughed...he loved her enthusiasm, it was infectious and he quickly realized that his night time anxiety was already fading. "I'll tell you what, I'll get dressed and then you can tell me everything you have planned." "Oh Master, that is a wonderful idea!"Jeannie sprang from the bed and with a hug, a quick kiss and a blink, Jeannie vanished from the his room.

Tony continued to smile until he saw his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He realized that his recent lack of sleep was taking a physical toll. He had developed faint circles under his eyes and a recent check of his weight revealed that he had lost a few pounds. He knew that Jeannie was very aware of his tired appearance and lack of appetite and he was running out of excuses to explain it away. He hoped that after tonight he wouldn't have to anymore. Tony had already decided that he was going to make tonight's Lunar Eclipse one that he and Jeannie would never forget.