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The furniture van had left. Marie settled in the car that was to take
her on the first stage of her journey, telling the driver she wished
to get away as quickly as possible. She gave a nod toward the Spuddy,
who was hovering around as if awaiting the invitation to join her. As
the car drew away from the curb, Marie turned to wave to the neighbors
who had gathered to see her off. The Spuddy stood watching
the car until it disappeared. After a few minutes he climbed to the
top step of the empty house and lay down, staring along the street,
accepting his plight. The neighbors lingered gossiping for a while
before returning to their own houses. The street became quiet except
for the mocking echoes of gull cries carried in by a sea wind. The
Spuddy's head sand down onto his out-stretched paws, but his
tobacco-brown eyes stayed wide and reflective, like those of a man
mulling over future plans.
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