Cast out.

They were never his friends.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

He could feel their eyes upon him…shadows safely behind their blinds and curtains.

Why was it taking them so long to pick him up?

Torment enough when told he only said, “Well, for everyone’s good, I guess there’s no point in noncompliance” and none of them – not one – said a word. Deadly silence.

But here, in the early hours – they said to be on the curb by 7:30 am – he had hoped one would run out – anyone – to take him in hand and say, “You can hide in the back – no matter what happens, you’ll be at home.”

But, sadly, no.

No second thoughts. No reprieve.

No movement by those on the porch.

Only watching – watching so far away.

He shouldn’t have felt cold, but he shivered.

A distant childish voice chirped “Ring around the Rosie, pocke-” but was quickly shushed.

A small kindness.

He wished the clouds would come back – the telltale blotches, the dark circles, less noticeable when grey.

A rumbling and squeal of brakes.

Two men hopped out of the scary vehicle – wearing gloves…and masks.

Fate to the winds now.

“Oh, a pumpkin. Guess the mice at the dump will have a new dining hall. Might actually sprout a vine,” the trash guy quipped as he pitched the orange out-of-date-and-time pumpkin into the truck.

 Well, they say cats have nine lives…who’s to say what a hardy Halloween pumpkin is capable of?

We told the remaining 3 pumpkins on the porch that it was only social distancing…like you tell the kid his Easter chick flew away…. (© image)

These are strange days

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

If you are out of the Can-you-believe-these-orange-veggie-invaders-are-still-around loop, catch up here:

“The Pumpkins must die” (Little did we know what we were in for…Jan 5, 2020), “What goes with orange that will not go away?” (Oh, they are just lingering moochers, right? Moochers, not munchers, right? Jan. 27, 2020)  “Pumped up for beads, Mister” (Obviously someone got the wrong information…Feb. 16, 2020), “Halos and The Big Worry” (RC Cat offers a simple explanation of who they are and why they are here…March 16, 2020), “Are you a Marie or a Little?” (Oh, they photo bombed this one. March 17, 2020)

New listing on Zillow: “This one is magical! Lovely organic styling, open concept natural living, curved vaulted ceiling, multiple escape walk outs. A fixer-upper ready for you to carve into your own!”(© image)

 

 

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