He thought he was stopping for a stray dog in the snow-until he saw what she was hiding beneath her body

healthy coat that had grown back over everything but memory. He picked up his coffee from the porch rail and took a slow drink while the snow gathered softly along the steps.

Down the county road, somewhere beyond the trees, four young dogs were waking in warm houses. A boy was probably being licked awake before school. An old man was likely pretending continue reading …