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"Dad," I sob as tears pour from my eyes "Daddy, please don’t leave me"

Silence

"Dad please"

My blood roars in my eardru…?

Huh?

My eyelids spring open and a feather lands on ht in bed and pluck the purple and teal feather froertips "Where on earth did this thing come from?"

As if responding to my question, a rooster crows from so the covers back, I plant my feet on the carpet and pad over to my partially opened bedroo Well, not really a dreao when I lostsince I drea could be

Sighing, I step out into the hallway to find out why I heard crowing I instantly stus, and feathers spew through the air

"Mom!" I cry then flinch as the rooster pecks at dust particles and its talons claw at the carpet "Could you coain then barrels towardas evil as the devil hi intothe crazy bird inside, then scra room

My hing at what appears to be a soap opera Even though I cleaned yesterdaywith empty soda cans, clothes piled on the couch There’s also a trail of feathers leading from the front door to the hallway

"Mom, why’s there a rooster in the house?" I should sound s happen all the time in the McKiney home

She shovels a handful of popcorn fro it hoin with

Not only did the car accident claim my father’s life, it leftwith a few bolts loose in her head It’s not like she’s insane; she just gets confused easily and does strange things like haul evil roosters home because they look sad

"Mo up the wrappers and throwing them into the trash bin