“You must be the only person on this planet who can’t name a single animal they like.”
“I like them fine when they’re on my plate.” Phyllis only raised an eyebrow and smirked when Lena looked at her like she’d just murdered a child. “It’s not a crime, for crying out loud.”
“It’s not. But it is odd. And I can’t believe you suggested I feed my mouse to the cat and the cat to a dog.”
“Well, it would solve two problems.”
“I’d still have the dog,” Lena answered triumphantly.
“I suppose,” Phyllis answered. But I could hope it would run out in front of a car.”
“You know what?” Lena asked.
“No. Tell me.”
“Some people are just too vile to keep as friends. And honestly, you’re one of them.”
Lena disconnected from the Zoom call and removed Phyllis from her friend list, saying to herself, “Problem solved.” Still feeling the taint of their final conversation, she headed to the shower, stopping for a quick cuddle with all her critters on the way.
This story grew from the words crime, planet, and mouse. Hope you enjoyed it, or at least that it provided food for thought.
I have always found that people who do not like animals in general are self centered, untrustworthy, and totally lacking in empathy. Just as a society can be judged on how its weakest members are treated, individuals can be judged on how they treat and feel toward animals.
Way to go, Lena!!