He Is Out There Again

“He is out there again.” It was said in a menacing way. One check-out woman to another, In front of me, the customer. It startled me. Someone was out there. But who? Was he there for a solid reason, Or was he there for an abduction? The tone, and voice inflection, was that It was a bad thing, for him to be out there. My senses went to full alert. Was he an arsonist? Would he be burning the store When we left? Was he a car thief? Had he already targeted my car? Would he grab me and dose my Nose and mouth with chloroform So I’d be limp and pliable? Should I ask for help out with My groceries? My imagination was getting the best Of me, but I could not help myself. I ran to my car as if a cheetah was after me. Threw the groceries into the passenger seat And jumped in. Before I could turn the key I saw the most forlorn, ignored, unloved puppy in the World, in the cold, gazing at me from his cowering corner Near the store. Instantly in Mama mode, I jumped out of the car, Forgetting to lock it and ran back into the store, Straight to the dogfood aisle. I put bits of dogfood On the ground, leading to my car. A man in a black pick-up truck met my eyes and We smiled at each other. I reached down and Picked up the puppy. He snuggled under my arm. I slid into the car with him, and pushed the Groceries onto the floorboard. He resisted Being pushed away, but how could I drive With a puppy on my lap? As I turned the corner, I looked back For a brief second and watched the man With the pick-up truck carry another Almost identical puppy Toward the corner where I had found My puppy. He put him down, and walked Back to his pick-up truck. I could not help but wonder if the check out Woman was his partner in con?