Had

Squirrels are a bit too bold for my liking. However, I do admire their work ethic. But not so much of late. About a month ago I watched the squirrel take its usual shortcut over the shed and down the tree to the bird feeder. But it didn't stop there. Down to the ground it jumped and two leaps later it was under the barbecue cover. That's when I became alarmed. From where I was standing it looked as if the squirrel was in there beating its head against the cover at high speed. Why not against a tree, I thought. It's that thought that alarmed me. But whatever. Then out the squirrel popped, retracing its path up the tree, over the shed and out of sight. This went on for quite some time before I told H about the poor squirrel's disorder. I'm guessing too much heavy metal in its diet, I said. Or maybe arsenic poisoning, though I don't know if the squirrel is showing other symptoms and I'm not sure if beating one's head against a barbecue cover counts as a neurological disorder. So H stood there with me the other day and, sure enough, the squirrel disappeared under the cover yet again. Then came the repeated thumping. So sad, I said. After the squirrel left H shook his head. Checked under the cover. Who knew it had such a soft lining? Yes. Had.