“Tell me again,” I said. “Why do I have to watch your mother’s dog?”

     “Because,” T-- told me, “she’s out of town.”

     “Why can’t you watch her?”

     “I have a work emergency.”

     “And the dog can’t stay at your place?”

     “No,” he said. “She’s got a thing.”

     E-- tilted her head.

     “What thing?” I asked.

     “If no one’s watching her,” T-- said, “she messes the rug.”

     I took the leash and closed the door behind him.

     ...

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