I talked with Charity on the phone this evening. She said that she was quite sick, and she sounded like she is, with a cold or flu.. got it from her son, who got it at school. She still doesn't know if the neighbor is home, but the son said he saw her kids at school, so I guess she is. She said if she feels any better tomorrow she'll go see her. I asked her if she could have her son tell the neighbor's kids that she (Charity) would like to speak with their mother and ask about the kitten, and Charity's son said he would.
She said she's been fired from her job and has very little money, that's why she couldn't keep the kitten herself, and she doesn't know where to meet me with the kitten because she can't afford more gas for her car. I told her I'll come to her home or wherever she'd like me to, to get the kitten.
She sounds like someone who is completely overwhelmed by the circumstances in her life at this time, and also maybe not quite Rhodes Scholar material, but I think she's at least trying to do something for the kitten. I also get the impression her neighborhood is the kind of area you want to be VERY CAREFUL about antagonizing at least some of your neighbors.. so that's perhaps why she's kind of tippy-toeing around. Let's face it, kids who openly abuse small helpless animals are not products of the healthiest and most loving of families growing up in the most civilized of communities.
I told her I'll call her again tomorrow. She said the best time is after five.
Pat
I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
CATS, he said eventually. CATS ARE NICE.
-- Terry Pratchett (1948—2015), Sourcery
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