Texas Summer
by Barry Basden


It's 10 p.m. and 96 degrees. Roaches big enough to fight off possums are coming inside for water. I better put away that pan of refried beans still on the counter from supper.

I haven't been outside in days, and anyway, the dogs quit walking with me sometime ago after the stickers and grass burrs got so bad.

But they sure chased that gray cat earlier this evening when it wandered into the backyard. Poor thing must have been heat struck because they caught it before it could get back over the fence.

I yelled but they never pay me no mind and I couldn't get out there quick enough with my bad knee. It fought and hissed and almost scratched the little dog's eyes out before ol' Big Dog clamped down and gave it one violent shake to cut off the caterwauling.

She dragged it out from under that dusty bush in the corner and carried it up to the back door. As she sat wagging her tail in the twilight heat, I heard the tinkle of a bell on the cat's collar and knew there'll be hell to pay with the neighbors tomorrow.

You can bet on it.

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Barry Basden writes mostly short pieces these days. Some have been published in various online and print venues. Some have not. He edits Camroc Press Review at www.camrocpressreview.com