against my ribs, a

, then at the do

's cold table, the need

ormal as someone who just re

voice shaking only a lit

lmost palpable. He probab

. He's a purebred resc

the doorway, her s

s, Sarah? Mark wa

ile. "Yes, ve

I made coffee. My han

ee. I needed

y lay on a plush new bed Ma

of it on the floor, but a

a genuine y

d over, bu

ssed over the dog, checking its fur, complet

fully, nuzzling his hand, tho

r eyes cold as s

reful. That dog is valuable. A

or me. Only

dull ache compared t

foreknowledge was

y, or Olivia, st

vorite silk scarf sh

"Puppies, you kn

first-edition book of poetr

Sarah. Don't be so hard on him,"

feet, the picture of canine

y's eyes, Olivia's eyes, would fix

s throat, if I came t

nd a wet patch on

Delib

, my voice ti

t behaving. He peed o

you sure? Maybe you

just stressed. Maybe you're a little jealous of the attention

g. They we

" was morphing, hardening in

ge