Handing her a beer, they proceeded back to the living room.  The movie was still on<i>pause,</i>as he settled into the recliner.  Although he shoulda seen it coming, he was caught off guard nonetheless.  Charlette not only made herself comfortable on the recliner, but her landing zone was his lap, as she snuggled closer still.<br/><br/>Psst, Old Man.  I think she likes you.  Just sayin’.  Geez, what a genius, Paul thought, clearly backed up against a wall.  Or in this case, his own recliner!<br/><br/>He already had a sinking feeling that the damn rice would now take forever to<i>ding.  </i>And there were the 20 minutes after that!