Capricorn

The stubbornness with which the constellations cling to the sky is the stuff of religion. Whatever your beliefs, that kind of tenacity can't fail to inspire the fickle and the insane.

Molly had never thought of herself as a sheep, but how could she explain why she followed him into that abyss? Was it his persistence? His loyalty? The sensitivity he allowed only her to see. Or just a refusal to read the signs even as they became more apparent?

The lawyers who decided a restraining order would be protection enough better hope hell is less real than the Zodiac.

The Price Of Loyalty

Jesse saw his blood staining the grass behind him as he was dragged across the lawn. At least he thought it was his blood. He'd taken such a beating that he was starting to worry about Mr. Jordan's fists.

Most people thought Mr. Jordan had an awful temper and they generally quit his service after only a few weeks. Those that lasted did so because they stood up for themselves.

That meant, when Mr. Jordan was in one of his moods, Jesse was the singular focus of all the boss's anger.

Tonight, Mr. Jordan was in one of his moods.

Loyalty

Most people looked at my behavior with quiet condescension.

But while it might have seemed unimportant to others, Higgins was more than just a dog. He was a member of my family. He was my best friend.

The animal shelters couldn't help. The police scoffed. People I previously counted as friends suddenly had "things to do."

While wondering the streets, putting up posters, I met Barbara. A complete stranger, she listened to my pathetic tale and agreed to help me search. A year later, we were married.

Even today, I would trade twenty years of marriage to have Higgins back.