Page 27 of Small Town Beast

“What?”

“See that lil’ dog? He’s a criminal. You better get! Chase that mutt off, would you?”

Saverin stepped to the animal, who took off more from amusement than fear.

“I woke up one day and he was clear inside my house. Took my damn hat and run off with it. He’s a thief.”

Saverin smiled. “Does he have an owner?”

“I don’t know if he’s got an owner, but what hewillget is an ass kicking if I catch him in my yard again.”

“You gonna kick his ass with no legs?”

Wilks Johnny bellowed in laughter. It was the start of a true friendship.

Five

Chapter Five

“Don’t feed that dog!”

Tanya ignored Gwen, waving the frozen ham bone at the yellow dog trotting up the alley. Seeing the new treat the animal trotted faster.

“Look at him, girl. Look at his face. You want me to say no to that face? He’s starving.”The dog patiently waited for Tanya to hand him the bone, then dropped to the ground and began eating it happily.

“Starving? That mutt is fat as a piglet. ” Gwen gestured with her cigarette. “Kyle said not to feed him.”

“Kyle can go to hell,” said Tanya.

“Well you feed that animal, there’s gonna be more,” Gwen warned. She was seventeen, just three years younger than Tanya, and paranoid of getting fired.

Tanya should have been paranoid, too, considering her position. She lived paycheck to paycheck, all her money going into daycare for Amari, food for Amari, clothes for Amari (that boy stayedgrowing), and rent.

With Amari gone she’d been able to save more money than ever. It almost didn’t feel right.

“Rrrr,” said the dog, crunching the bone.

“I guess he is cute,” Gwen admitted. “But if Kyle saw he’d blow his gasket.”

“Gwendolyn, if I see a hungry animal, and there’s food going bad in that nasty-ass freezer, guess what? I’m gonna feed that animal and Kyle can kiss my black ass.”

“You should name him.”

“His name is Dog.” If she named him, he would become hers. And right now she just couldn’t handle the responsibility.

Gwen’s head perked up. “Shit, he’s coming.”

The door opened and a greasy mop of hair appeared in the alley. “Back to work,” sneered Kyle. The weeping pimple on his face suggested what he’d been up to in the bathroom for the past fifteen minutes.

At the sight of his old enemy the dog bolted— still holding the bone. Gwen flushed and put out her cigarette. Tanya planted her feet and looked their manager in the eye. “We can’t breathe in that kitchen. You were supposed to clean out the vents a month ago. We’re suffocating in there!”

“I can breathe just fine, Tanya. You’re on the clock, remember? And I ought to poison that cur.” He watched the animal race off down the alley, his eyes glinting with evil ideas.

“Tanya’s right about the vents,” Gwen broke in. “Mrs. Laura told you to fix them six months ago. I heard her say so loud and clear.”

“He took that lady’s money and did nothing,” said Tanya. “I bet Mrs. Laura would like to know why the fridge hasn’t been replaced yet, either.”

“Shut your fucking mouth,” Kyle said savagely.

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