I’ve been doing a jigsaw puzzle but this piece just doesn’t fit.
Puzzle Problem
A Short Tale
He sipped his beer, a locally brewed IPA, and then set the mug down. “I came to Ashland for love in 1972. I’d met this woman in Ohio. She lived here. So I followed her here.”
“Did you marry her?”
“No. We were together for ten years. Then she moved out and we moved on. She lives in Tacoma now. Married, with children.” He smiled toward the wall. “We remain on good terms. We talk to one another on the phone. Once in a while.”
Entertainment
The royal clowder’s faces were grumpy. “I’m bored,” the first floof said. “This — ” He flicked a tail of disdain. ” — snow outside is ruining my day. There are no birds to watch, other cats to chat up, nor even squirrels to argue. I want sunshine!”
“I’m bored,” the second floof said as the third said, “I’m bored, entertain me.”
“Sorry, guys,” the man replied. “There is nothing I can do about it. Here’s some catnip and a couple stuffed mouses to bat around.” He walked off.
The floofs glared at his back. “I say that we replace him,” one said.
“Perhaps,” the second said. “Look how long we’ve had him, and he still doesn’t give us the food and treat that we demand.”
“Not to mention that he can’t do anything about the weather,” the first floof said.
“I’m bored,” the third floof said, and then assumed an attack position. “Wanna fight?”
Michael Seidel, writer 