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Story: As It Was

MOLLIE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Hu Gh
Where do I file a complaint? Tammy made my coffee wrong! She gave me decaf!
Comments:
Tammy Jane: I told you that I was cutting you off, you old coot. You’re eighty years old. Chill on the damn caffeine! And who brings a complaint like this to the group anyway? Post a review online like everyone else!
Marjorie Brown: Now that you mention it, my toast was burnt.
Tammy Jane: Now you’re just egging it on. I’m telling your wife.
Marjorie Brown: Please don’t. I’m sorry!
Hu Gh: How to post a Goggle review.
Tammy Jane: It’s called GOOGLE,Hugh!
I wasin a post-work exhaustion coma when my door squeaked open.
“Psst,” a little voice said. “Come outside.”
“What?” I asked. “Eric? What are you doing?”
“I have a surprise!” He ran off without another word.
I didn’t know what it could have been, but my mind flashed to either bubbles or something radioactive.
It was later in the afternoon. I’d heard the door shut, which meant Cain was probably finishing up the work with the animals that he hadn’t done throughout the day. I thought Eric had been with him, but obviously not.
“I brought a chicken!”
True to his word, therewasa chicken in his arms. And it was Hennifer, because of course it was.
She didnotlook happy to see me. She made a low noise at the mere sight.
“I’ve met Hennifer,” I said, putting up my hands to appease her. “And she doesnotlike me.”
“What? She likes everyone.”
“Not me.”
“I’ll show you.” Eric put her down before I could beg him not to.
And she ran at me.
“No!” I put up my arms to meet the flurry of feathers. Luckily, her claws weren’t as sharp as a rooster’s would be, but they still hurt.
Then she settled on my shoulder.
“What the—” I stopped when I saw Eric giving her mealworms. “How did you do that?”
“She wants food,” he explained. “Feed her, and she’ll calm down.”
He grabbed my hand and held out the worms. Hennifer pecked at them.

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