REDT
he cat waited patiently on her haunches in front of the screen door, peering out into the late-night dark air, ready to be set free into the shadows. Yes, there were coyotes in Echo Park, cars, mischievous kids, and unseen danger around every corner, but Red had never been able to bring herself to keep a wild thing captive. She opened the front door and watched its silver, brown fur sprint for adventure, certain each morning that she’d be tacking posters to street signs offering a reward.
Monday, she would drive to Peter’s house above Sunset Plaza. The fact made her stomach flutter again. Sasha had made it easy. Red’s earlier elation had faded into a bitter melancholy after one too many glasses of Chianti. Now, her thoughts were woozy. It was almost midnight, and she’d been crying.
