Good Old Days

 

“People used to stay married back in our grandparent’s time! When they hit rough patches, they dug in and stuck it out. Young people today get divorced over nothing! It’s disgusting!”

The nursing home CNA nodded politely, knowing better.

Many of the old women had talked about husbands who beat them and worse. They were relieved when they died, and more than a few confessed to helping matters with a little poison or a planned “accident”.

In their time, women couldn’t have a bank account or own property. Death was the only way out, and for many, it was merciful.

 

Ungrateful

 

She saw it sitting by the side of the road, fluffed up and pitiful looking.

She cursed under her breath. She had 100 things to do today, and this was not on the list.

As she found somewhere to turn around, she went over what steps would need to be taken and who would need to be contacted to deal with this.

She approached what would assuredly bite her, possibly claw her, and most likely pee on her.

Looking puzzled, then alarmed as she got closer, the barred owl shook himself off, blinked one slow imperious time, and flew away.