Elsewhere

by Gabrielle Zevin

She believes a pug goes around once and that’s it.

As Liz sees it, for the aged, death isn’t much different than retiring to Florida.

Liz did not play football, was only a sophomore, and had died by herself. Dying in groups is more tragic.

“Do you think Pete’s mad at me?” Paco asks. “I sometimes pee in his shoes when he leaves me home alone too long, but I don’t think he notices. Maybe he notices? Do you think he notices? I’m a bad, bad, bad dog.”

Paco was skeptical, too. “I don’t mean to be rude,” he said, “but why aren’t you Pete?”