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Jake has awakened long after sunrise and finds Sam the cat in bed with him, down near his feet. His satisfaction with the previous day's events has him sleeping for another few hours before he begins his day. This, the day after his unbelievable interview and the job he now has, is as bright as his prospects, as it is a clear and sunny day. He plans to continue exploring the cottage and the basement room of Capone's Prohibition-era stash before he continues his report for the Shadow News Service.
Once he gets out of bed, he makes strong black coffee in his coffee maker. No breakfast today, just getting things done is his priority until food becomes necessary. Wood and the fire are his immediate concern once he has the coffee going. A far different routine compared to Chicago, in an apartment, in a basement, now a lifetime away. In addition, there is Sam the cat, who has taken a keen interest in all of Jake's activities. As Jake continues this new routine, Sam follows his every move. He gets ahead of him as if he knows everything he is about to do, and begins to annoy Jake. After Sam nearly trips him up, he becomes irate enough to raise his voice and yell at Sam. Before he finishes his angry outburst, he is distracted by a message on his phone. He checks and finds he has a package waiting at the local post office. Jake exclaims, "Well then, maybe this is a care package from Miss Jennifer Gentry, the package with your things, Sam!" Jake now resolves to pause his plans to search the basement and make his way to the post office to claim this package.
He makes sure Sam the cat has food and water before leaving to pick up the package. The post office wasn't that far, only a couple of cigarettes away by Jake's way of thinking. He arrived within about forty minutes and found a less-than-happy postal worker behind the desk to deal with. Jake introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Jacob Novak, and my phone app has sent me a message that you have a package for me." He then tells him the number of the post office box and the address of the cabin.
The postal employee is a late middle-aged man, possibly ten years Jake's senior. "I'll need a picture ID with your address" is his response to Jake's statements. Jake had filled out a change of address form in Chicago just before he left, but he wasn't sure that it had gone through yet. He had a copy of the form with him, and his brother John had his name on the post office box associated with the address. He gets out his Illinois driver's license and hands it to the postal worker, who then says, "The name on this package is correct, but your address is in Chicago." Jake responds with, "I just filled out a change of address while I was still in Chicago. Here is a copy," as he retrieves the paper from his jacket pocket and hands it over. The worker then says, "This looks official, just let me check our computer for your information."
If he had to, he could prove his relationship to John if the change of address hadn't been registered yet. After what felt like half an hour, the postal worker confirms the change of address and gets the package for Jake. The grim look on the worker's face only sours more after Jake takes the package and says with a big smile, "Thanks for your prompt service, and have a great day!" The sarcasm must have been obvious to the worker based on his expression, and it gives Jake some small satisfaction for the less-than-speedy service. He puts the rather large package into his vehicle and travels back to the place he now calls home, the family cabin.
Once inside with Jennifer's care package, Jake opens it to find that it contains a cat bed and stand, along with some catnip and toys. He also discovers an envelope from Jennifer with a letter and some money. He picks up the letter and reads his name on the front while noticing the scent of perfume. He smells the envelope before opening it and recalls that this is the same perfume Jennifer was wearing during their session. The scent conjures up an image of Jennifer in Jake's mind and arouses him slightly as he thinks of her. He opens the letter and reads the following message.
"Dear Jake, I can't thank you enough for taking care of our Sam, who is so precious to us. I hope you aren't too inconvenienced by his presence at your new home in Michigan. I have sent along some money to take care of Sam's needs, along with a little extra for your time." Jake stops reading long enough to count out a tidy sum of money, $300, and thinks, "She's doing well with the psychic reading gig." Then he continues thinking, "A sum that large may have me stuck with Sam the cat for a while." He continues to read the remainder of the note. "I can arrange to pick up Sam in two weeks. I'll call you and give you the details. Thank you so much, and we'll be seeing each other soon again. - Jennifer."
Jake notices, in her signature, a heart she made for the dot over the "i" in Jennifer. The perfume and that heart are signs to Jake that he stands a really good chance of scoring with Miss Jennifer Gentry. He thinks that he needs to respond to her soon and chat with her about how well he and Sam are getting along. He knows very well that the way to a woman's heart is through her ears. He gives this plan some more thought as he sets up Sam with his things and stuffs the cash into his wallet.
