Page 61 of Salty Pickle

Me: Court came and got me. I’m at his place until they find another farm.

Summer: You can’t stay there?

Me: It’s a high rise and no goats allowed!

Summer: But this could be it! You two could fall in love and live happily ever after!

Me: Not without Matilda.

Speaking of which, Matilda starts bleating outside, and I’m not sure what to do. I open the door, and she trots inside, heading straight for the bookshelf where the books were.

Court has changed several things, not just moving his books. The jacketed albums are gone as well. Does that mean it’s okay for Matilda to be inside?

I hurry her down the hall to my room to get her diaper put on. “It’ll be like having a baby here!” I tie the liner and cloth to her. “Let’s go back!”

I pat her rump to send her back down the hall to the kitchen. She trots ahead of me, enjoying the space to move, then takes off in a full run.

And that’s when I hear a scream.

18

COURT

The frantic call from Maggie comes at the worst moment.

I’m in a meeting with human resources about the results of the external audit of company morale. All those terrible quotes from employees are spread over the table.

Uncle Sherman, the owner of Pickle Media, is in the room. So is his son Jason, my cousin, who keeps throwing me concerned looks as the auditor explains how dire things are at Pickle Media. He seems to think we’re months away from a triggering event that could cause a mass exodus.

And my housekeeper won’t stop calling.

It has to be about Lucy.

Or her damn goat.

I stand. “I apologize. I have a small matter that’s urgent. It will only be a moment.”

I take the call as I rush out the door of the boardroom. “What’s wrong, Maggie?”

“Sir, sir, Mr. Court. There is a goat in your apartment! It ran straight for me! Holy Mary Mother and Joseph. My life flashed before my eyes.”

It’s just as I figured. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”

“You have a goat?”

“I have a guest. And she has a goat.”

“I didn’t see another person!”

Did Lucy leave with her goat loose in my apartment? “Where are you?”

“In the hall! I can’t go in there!”

“Hold on a second.”

I put the call on hold and dial Lucy.

It rings. No answer.

---