Page 51 of Slots & Sticks
Dot says she’s too much. Too loud, too soft, too anxious, too stubborn. But she rescued a naked hell-dog with a leash and a whisper, and now she’s advocating for this mangy kitten. Somehow, I want every version of her exactly as she is.
This time, I don’t try to talk sense into her. I want to shout, “Fuck you, cat distribution system! Not the time!” but I don’t. Instead, I say, “The kitten comes with us. We’ll have to see if the visitor center has anything she can eat, though.”
The five of us trudge back to the car. The sky has darkened; it looks like it could rain at any minute.
“Maybe I should stay out here,” I suggest. “Let the rain wash some of the mud off.”
“You know, some travel centers do have showers, if you want to check?”
“Nah, I’ll wait. It’s not like I have anything clean to change into.”
“How about you stay in the car, and I’ll go inside. I want to look for a souvenir for this trip, anyway.”
“We havethreesouvenirs.” I nod to the kitten. “This one isn’t even named yet.” After eyeing her for a minute, I say, “She’s black as fireplace residue. She shall henceforth be named Soot Beck.”
Dot tilts her head to the side. “You’re keeping her?”
“You’ve got your hands full with those two.”
Dot puts the dogs in the back seat, while the kitten, who’s still sucking on my fingers, sits up front in my muddy lap. As soon as she walks away, both dogs try to get in the front seat with me. They’re obsessed with Soot, who wants nothing to do with them.
I elbow Bo back into the rear half of the car for the third time. “So, do you think they have any other animals in there? I mean… what are the chances that I leave her unattended and she comes back with a hermit crab, or a lizard? Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“List complete,” a woman’s voice says from the back seat. I jump so hard I nearly swallow my own tongue. Did someone climb in here when we left the car alone?
“What the—?”
“Vet appointments should be made at the earliest possible convenience. Dog registration tags are required in our area. Flea and tick medication should be applied year-round, and Bordetella—”
“Mira?” I ask.
The voice falters. “Yes, Camden?”
I’m relieved that there’s no stranger here, but Mira freaks me out a little. “Hey, did Dot turn you on?”
“Of course. She needed me to stay organized.”
“I could help her organize,” I mutter.
“Clearly not. After all, you’re the one who allowed three animals in the vehicle.”
I wonder how upset Dot would be if I allowed Mira to escape into the woods the way Skinbad tried to? It’s tempting. “Seriously? You know Dot. How could I say no to her?”
“And Dot knows me. Why else would she keep me turned off until the transactions were completed? I say no all the time. But I can see how this would be challenging for you, since you have feelings for Dot.”
My throat goes dry. I should deny it, but the AI doesn’t need proof. It’s written all over me. So I aim for humor instead and miss by a mile.
That makes me twist around again. Soot mewls. The dogs are both sniffing Dot’s backpack, where Mira is tucked away. Skinbad growls at the bag.You and me, both, kid.
“How do you know about that?”
“I don’t need eyes to see you like her. Besides, your friend alluded to your attraction to her. Unlike Dot, I have no reason to question the obvious interpretation of his so-called ‘joke.’”
“Okay, well, my eyes can see that she’s on her way back to the car. Let’s change the subject, shall we? How’s that list of care requirements coming?”
“The list is complete,” Mira announces.
The first drops of rain hit the windshield as Dot flings herself into the back seat. She holds up her bag of goodies. “Perfect timing! I’ve got everything. For the kitten…ah, Soot.” She digs through her purchases until she finds a small foil-wrapped bundle. “The folks making to-go-orders sold me some shredded, unseasoned chicken. See if she’ll eat that.”
