Paul had been sipping his coffee, but upon hearing 'seashells and starfish and little crabs decorating my hair,' he quickly swallowed the scalding mouthful and coughed. Just to be sure they weren't really there now, he reached out and touched her hair, intently studying the soft blonde locks and then he flicked his gaze down over her face.
"I believe you. I really do," he said. "Because...the beard I see is ridiculous. It's like, down to here." He put his index finger at collarbone level. "And it's an all white beard. Do you think...I don't know what's happening to us. Something is, but I don't know."
More coffee. Maybe the answers would come. After Paul set down his cup, he looked up nervously at Cassie. "Can I see? I mean, the reflection? Can you show me?"