Puss 'N Cahoots Read Online Free PDF

hugged a curve, marveling at the car’s ability to stick to the road. “She won’t notice for a while, because I don’t wear the pin every night.”
    â€œGod, I hope it turns up.” She inhaled again, giddy from the odor. “Will Mom have a fit and fall in it?”
    â€œNo. She’ll look down, fight back the tears, purse her lips. It’s worse than being fussed at. The guilt.”
    â€œYou majored in guilt, all those years of Catholic school.” The corner of Harry’s mouth turned up.
    â€œI know it! And I still can’t rid myself of it. Makes me so mad. Like this car. I earned this car. I work hard. You know I do, and I love driving this thing, but every now and then I think of the suffering in the world and this wave of guilt washes over me. Well, I’m not going to confession over it. I’m not.” Her voice was determined.
    â€œI think about suffering, too, but tell me, are we all supposed to suffer? Is that what equality means? We’re all dragged down together?” Harry snuggled down in the seat, then sat up straighter. “Any one of those people suffering in the world, if they had the resources, would buy this car. Why spurn happiness? God gave you the chance. You took it.”
    â€œTheology by Haristeen.” Joan smiled, since she could always count on a good discussion with her friend.
    â€œLogic, not theology. There’s precious little happiness in this world. Grab what you can. I don’t mean you take away someone else’s, but grab what comes to you.”
    â€œBut that’s it, isn’t it? If I buy this car I’m polluting the atmosphere. I could send this money to, oh, Uganda and help someone.”
    â€œFirst of all, Joan, that’s bullshit. Industry pollutes more than cars. And even if you drove a hybrid, you might not emit as many hydrocarbons, because you’d use less gas and oil, but it would still contribute to global warming. Exhaust is hot regardless of the fuel. You have to drive. When have you ever seen a bus stop out in the country? Right?”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œOkay. Furthermore, if you send money to Uganda it will wind up in some corrupt official’s pocket. You don’t even have to send it to Uganda; think of the millions that disappeared earmarked for the victims of Katrina. Give to charity you can monitor with your own two eyes.”
    â€œYou got that right.” She nodded.
    â€œEvery time money changes hands, some sticks. The more people between your dollar and the recipient, the less reaches the recipient. Charity begins at home.”
    Joan laughed, a big smile crossing her radiant face. “I’m sooo glad I bought this car.”
    â€œAnd in British racing green. Back when auto racing began, those great races over countryside and through cities, each country had its color. Pretty cool, really. The Germans were silver or white or both. France was blue. Italy was red. But British racing green is the coolest.”
    â€œStill have your 1978 Ford F-150?”
    â€œMy baby.” Harry giggled. “Hey, you know I planted those Petit Manseng grapes, don’t you?” Harry had hopped to another subject, but Joan was used to it.
    â€œYou sent me pictures when you laid out the rows.”
    â€œWell, I won’t get anything—I mean a good yield—until the third year, but the vines are up and leafy. This is the only time, really, that Fair and I could get away. Did I tell you I snuck out early this morning?”
    â€œHarry, how much coffee have you had?” Joan shook her head in amusement.
    â€œAm I speedy?”
    â€œYou and the car.”
    â€œSorry. Too much caffeine, but I have a good reason. Well, sort of a good reason.”
    â€œI’m waiting.”
    â€œCouldn’t sleep. I snuck out, took Fair’s truck, and drove over to the fairgrounds. Thought I’d sneak in and see if the watchman was really awake. He was.