"Look, Ed. I'm eating bon bons."

"Rejected. That's what the letter said, Ed. Nobody's going to say any different."
"There's plenty of patent attourneys out there, honey. We just have to find one that understands drape runners."

I got a slip back from "Happy". They returned the story and included a flier advertising the editor's new book and how I might buy it in addition to a subscription to Happy. And a slip of paper that says: "Rejection Sucks" and some chicken scrawl that I'm pretty sure says my story wasn't right for Happy and that I should buy their magazine. Grr. But oh well. They wouldn't know great literature if it bit them in the ass. I'll just have to find a magazine that understands great literature.

The second story that's out (29-Cent Stamp) has not yet made it back. This could be a good thing. Or bad. Results may vary.


My poor Milo's maintaining. He still purrs like mad and loves to have a lap to call his own. But the lump is now grapefruit sized(a lumpy grapefruit). He's eating kitten food(higher in protein and calories) and he's still losing weight. He used to be my marmalade butterball. But he's half that size now. Mum feeds him 3 times a day now.(he typically gets fed once with dry food to nibble on)- the last time I was out there-- She was feeding him, holding the plate up so he could eat easier.... I could hear his jaws grinding as he chewed. Mum tells me the canned kitten food is easier for him to eat when mushy and slightly warm.
Like I said... despite the sad eyes and the withering figure, he still purrs, constantly in search of a lap and once he's got your lap he'll stay there as long as you let him. Purring so loud you can hear him across the room.