Two days ago I put out a cracker for Chip again, like every morning.  I thought that if he always had the food in his door, he would never go away.  Two days later the food is still there.  The birds have disappeared and I haven't seen Chip again.  Where is he?  I know the answer; I'm sad.  The cat would have eaten the birds before, if they had been there, if the fountain had been working, if I hadn't put out the cracker for my friend.

--Victoria Iglesias