The Adventures of Tori and the Cats

Tori waited to make sure Mama and Daddy were both asleep. They stayed up so late, and often came in at the first sound she made, so she had learned to wait a while before her nocturnal wanderings. One of the cats was scratching at the door, but she would just have to wait. Finally, Tori stood up, climbed out of the crib, and standing on her tiptoes, opened the door. Duchess swirled into the room.
"What's on for tonight?" she asked.
Tori shrugged. "Is there a full moon yet?"
"No, not tonight. I keep telling you, it takes a full month. You know, moon, month?"
"No, I don't know, you stupid cat. I'm only 5 and a half months old."
"But you just used the word month!"
"Don't bother me with your cat logic." Tori stepped purposefully into the hallway.
"Wanna watch them sleep?" asked Duchess, hovering near Mama and Daddy's doorway.
"Oh puh-lease. The last time we did that you just curled up and went to sleep."
"Well, can I help it if they are oh so soft and warm? I don't know why you don't like sleep, after all, at your age you can get away with sleeping all the time."
"Sleep is bo-ring. Plus Mama and Daddy party after I go to sleep."
Duchess nodded. It was true, after all.
"How about we check progress on the house facelift?"
"OK."
The two conspirators went into the dining room, where Duchess lightly leaped up to the door trim where the key was held. Tori managed to unlock and open the door and they were out on the deck, in the cold moonlight. They crept around to the front of the house.
"Looking good!" said Tori approvingly.
"Yes, I like their color choices. That chocolate brown trim is lovely."
"I'm not crazy about the light brown siding though. Reminds me of the bathroom." Tori pursed her lips.
They walked all the way around the house, and then Tori gave a great stretch and yawn. "Time to go back in," tutted Duchess, who really just wanted to do some hunting in peace. Tori was not fond of the way Duchess ate her prey. Tori nodded sleepily and they went back inside. Duchess got Tori settled, then went back to the dining room. Only then did she realize her mistake - without Tori, she couldn't open the door! With a sigh, she went back to the Mama-Daddy room and curled up in between them for some nice peaceful sleep.