Dishwasher

Gracie was 3 when she hung cats by the neck, meaning she bear hugged 'em, singing and acting like voices. We had a farm, and at any given day, our barn would harbor 

eight, 19, six, two or 5 cats. She loves animals, plain to see, so I say "Pick out a kitten and name him".

 She captures a black tortoise shell and says, "I name her Dishwasher!" 

 I say what? She elbows his neck and toddles away holding him sort of like 

mothers do. 

  That winter, I started my Suburban. All this fur came

flying out of the engine. Dishwasher thuds out, half broken 

and drags his ass to the grass. All of my kids come crying out.

 My older twin Jack, with tears of mercy, gets his BB gun and shoots a pretty

clean shot. Dishwasher drags his shredded tail end under the front porch. I called my neighbor and his .22 for the kill shot. 

 We had a ceremony.

 Yes, Life on a farm.