Nothing works. It is dark. No heat. This blanket does not help. Up and down the street, there are lights on. People plotting. Planning holiday trips. Vacations in the mountains. Christmas in Chicago. But in this house, nothing works.

Cats cry. The place smells of piss. Mattresses with stains on them. Pillows colored from sweat marks and drool. An American flag waves on the corner. A spotlight shines on it. An old Dodge drives by. These cats. Damn cats. Stop crying. Stop ruining my life. Their dish is empty.

The cactus blooms.