That? Wasn't an expression that Gia hadn't ever seen directed at her before. Actually she was quite used to getting looked at like what she'd said was completely insane. Sometimes it even was. But this time it wasn't because the guinea pig was talking to her. Not once in her life had Gia ever suffered from auditory hallucinations and she doubted that she'd start now. Even if she was hearing a guinea pig talk. Clearly there was a reason for it. She hadn't figured it out yet but she'd get there and if her niece looked at her like she was off her rocker a few times in the meanwhile then so be it. "I'm not hearing things, Desi," Gia said patiently, scooping the guinea pig up and extending it out towards Desi. "Say hello."
'That's really not going to work.'
"See? Wait, what?"
'She can't hear me. You couldn't hear me the past few days, she can't hear me at all right now. Sorry, sweetheart, but she's going to think you're insane.'
"Ohhhhhhh I need a drink." Gia rubbed at the space between her eyes and turned to look in her cabinet and see if she had one. Wait. Something was wrong with that. "It's too early to drink, isn't it? I'm sorry, Desi, I am clearly having a morning. But this." She shook the guinea pig, getting a sharp squeal in response. "Is talking to me. Full sentences! Here." Gia extended the guinea pig towards Desi. "Go take it somewhere and tell it something. I'll tell you what you said because it'll tell me. Go on. You'll stop thinking I'm crazy then."