In another she sits in black coat, hat, gloves, head bent in mourning for herself. The minister, her friend, rings a tiny bell. After shared memories of love and loss, he says, You must go now, Merry, it s time to say goodbye. The three goldfish, once small dominate the gigantic tank its glass windows in algae fog gold glow between green barely seen by the almost blind nurturer. Susan buys a larger one.
Poor fish begin to float on top.
A visit from the pet shop lets in air for them to breathe. Susan's two cats, Pinky, white and salmon, Slip, almost black, named for his stealth escapes through open door, share Susan reluctantly. Susan worries about birds struggling to survive winter's cold buys feeders for her tenth floor window guarded by overgrown green rubber plants. In the pet shop Susan spies crickets for sale. Her boyfriend, her nurturer shakes his head every time he sees her nourish others.