Chad Thead

           Miss Kitty slipped out the back door, whistled, and watched as Miss Patches trotted toward her. “Good girl,” Miss Kitty said, reaching forward and grabbing Miss Patches halter. “There, now, Patches, lovely mare.”

            Miss Patches had full black ears, and they were pinned back against her neck. Miss Kitty turned, and saw Chad Thead striding around the back of the house.

            “Hey,” Chad said. “This here is private property. No horses allowed.”

            Miss Patches and Miss Kitty both harrumphed.

            “I happen to have permission to be here,” Miss Kitty said, “and so does the horse.”

            Chad stepped forward, leaning into Miss Kitty’s personal space.

            “You got papers to prove it,” he said, baring his teeth.

            “Well, you’re not a vampire,” Miss Kitty said, “Because you reek of garlic.” She took a step back, clipping the lead line to Patches halter, but never turning her back to Chad Thead. “Do you know Harold,” Miss Kitty said.

            Chad curled his lip, which made him look clownish. “Harold and I go way back. We’re like brothers, man. I’m care taking of this place while he’s on vacation.”

            “Funny,” Miss Kitty said, watching Chad’s expression, “Harold never mentioned you before. And he’s not on vacation. I’m Harold’s housekeeper, and when I come in to work, Harold let’s Miss Patches mow the lawn. And you are?”

            Chad’s forehead wrinkled, his nose twitched, and his lips closed tight, like a mousetrap. Kitty shuddered thinking about mousetraps, and hoped Miles had made his way into one of his hidey-holes.

            “I think someone is pulling the wool over those pretty eyes,” Chad said. “Harold aint home. And I’m in charge.”

            Miss Patches lifted her front hoof, and put it down on Chad’s foot.

            “Get that horse off of me,” Chad said, pushing at Patches chest.

            “Good girl,” Miss Kitty said. “Back, Patches, back.”

            Patches reluctantly obeyed, taking two steps back.

            “I think that horse broke my toe,” Chad shouted.

            “You need to be mighty careful around horses,” Harold said, stepping behind Chad.