“I know that sometimes you need   
that guy for some of your off the wall 
shit,” she said, took the flowers out  
of the trash, and while getting a vase,
continued, “and I know I just threw    
these out, but they are beautiful, and 
it’s not their fault, that I seriously 
and sincerely hope you understand that 
I don't like this guy, at all.”        
     She wasn't through. Everyone had  
to listen to this, and it was not some-
thing I just wanted blurted out, but   
that’s how it came out anyway.         
     "So Please, don't tell me you had 
that D character kill a cat? Two cats  
it looks like."                        
     I had to laugh at that one but    
stopped when Beth gave me a look that  
would curdle milk.                     
     "No!” I said quickly, “D is as    
* dead set against abusing animals as you  
and I. Maybe even more so, I think.    
Truth be told, it's his only weakness, 
or so he tells me.                     
     “Besides, he told me it was from  
the County Animal Shelter where strays 
are brought, so they can find homes,   
but most don't. Those that don't were  
euthanized.                            
     “Obviously, these two didn't find 
homes. I wish I could do more,” I said,
going on and on, not wanting to stop,  
“but if I took in every stray there,   
we'd run out of room in no time. And   
even if I figured a way around that    
problem, where would it stop? You know 
me Beth, I'd eventually have to take in
every stray in the fucking world.      
     “As much as I hate to, I have to  
draw the line somewhere.”              



CHAPTER 14: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31st
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