Desperate Characters

She had chosen him at a late moment in her life, when choices were almost always hypothetical. It was a choice out of time.

Well, Im sorry, darling. But it wasnt a good idea to feed it

I dont care for the new people hes taken up with, the clients. I know whats always gone on in the office. Ive done the tiresome work while Charlies put on his funny hats and knocked everybody dead with personal charm.

She smiled, wondering how often, if ever before, the cat had felt a friendly human touch, and she was still smiling as the cat reared up on its hind legs, even as it struck at her with extended claws, smiling right up to that second when it sank its teeth into the back of her left hand and hung from her flesh so that she nearly fell forward, stunned and horrified, yet conscious enough of Ottos presence to smother the cry that arose in her throat as she jerked her hand back from that circle of barbed wire.

I dont care why Im doing it, Sophie said. The point is that I can see it starving.

Otto, Ill just give him a little milk. I know I shouldnt have fed him in the first place. But hes here now. Well be going out to Flynders in June. By the time we come home, hell have found someone else

There was something funny about people’s private little preferences and indulgences, something secretive and childlike and silly.

Poor thing.
It does very well for itself. All those cats do well.
Perhaps their survival depends on people like me.

“What time are we due at the Holsteins?”

jowled and unprincipled and grotesque.