full

[18+] “Firsts” by TJ Minde (read by Ta'kom, part 2 of 2)

[18+] After an intimate evening with Jude, Anthony has to deal with his emotional and religious baggage.

Tonight’s story is the second and final part of “Firsts” by TJ Minde, whose story first appeared in Fang 9, published by FurPlanet. Most recently, he was the lead editor for Altered States: Draconic Desires also published by FurPlanet. He is also currently working on his first novel.

Last time, outgoing and confident Jude took sheltered Anthony out on a day through the town with a corn maze and pumpkin picking. That evening, the two started drinking pumpkin ales and hanging out. We left as the two were about to start a film…

Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/18-firsts-by-tj-minde-part-2-of-2

Transcript
Speaker:

Today's

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

concerns

Speaker:

adult

Speaker:

subject

Speaker:

matter

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

mature

Speaker:

listeners.

Speaker:

If

Speaker:

that's

Speaker:

not

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

cup

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

tea,

Speaker:

or

Speaker:

there

Speaker:

are

Speaker:

youngsters

Speaker:

listening,

Speaker:

please

Speaker:

skip

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

come

Speaker:

back

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

another

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

another

Speaker:

time.

You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Ghost

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and Tonight’s

Speaker:

story is

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

second

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

final

Speaker:

part

Speaker:

of “Firsts”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

TJ

Speaker:

Minde,

Speaker:

whose

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

first

Speaker:

appeared

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

Fang 9,

Speaker:

published

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

FurPlanet.

Speaker:

Most

Speaker:

recently,

Speaker:

he

Speaker:

was the

Speaker:

lead

Speaker:

editor

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

Altered

States:

States:

Draconic

States:

Desires

States:

also

States:

published

States:

by

States:

FurPlanet.

States:

He is

States:

also

States:

currently

States:

working

States:

on

States:

his

States:

first

States:

novel.


Last

States:

time,

States:

outgoing

States:

and

States:

confident

States:

Jude

States:

took

States:

sheltered

States:

Anthony

States:

out

States:

on

States:

a

States:

day

States:

through

States:

the

States:

town

States:

with

States:

a

States:

corn

States:

maze

States:

and

States:

pumpkin

States:

picking.

States:

That

States:

evening,

States:

the

States:

two

States:

started

States:

drinking

States:

pumpkin

States:

ales

States:

and

States:

hanging

States:

out.

States:

We

States:

left

States:

as

States:

the

States:

two

States:

were

States:

about

States:

to

States:

start

States:

a film…

Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the Equine Charmer

Please enjoy


“Firsts”

States:

by

States:

TJ

States:

Minde, Part 2 of 2

“A

States:

long,

States:

long

States:

time

States:

ago,”

States:

Jude

States:

started

States:

with

States:

the

States:

music, “in

States:

a

States:

galaxy

States:

far,

States:

far

States:

away,

States:

God

States:

said, ‘let

States:

there

States:

be

States:

lips,’

States:

and

States:

there

States:

were.”
Anthony

States:

looked

States:

from

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

to

States:

the

States:

screen

States:

as

States:

red

States:

lips

States:

appeared. “What

States:

was

States:

that?”

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

asked

States:

with

States:

a

States:

chuckle.
“Audience

States:

participation.

States:

And

States:

it’s

States:

only

States:

the

States:

beginning.

States:

Just

States:

wait,”

States:

Jude’s

States:

tail

States:

thumped

States:

against

States:

the

States:

couch.
And

States:

the

States:

film

States:

rolled

States:

on.

States:

Anthony’s

States:

attention

States:

was

States:

split

States:

between

States:

the

States:

screen

States:

and

States:

the

States:

dhole as Jude

States:

not

States:

only

States:

sang

States:

along

States:

with

States:

it,

States:

but

States:

added

States:

his

States:

own

States:

lines

States:

to

States:

the

States:

movie.

States:

Anthony

States:

laughed

States:

as

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

hurled

States:

insults at

States:

the

States:

characters

States:

and

States:

replaced

States:

dialogue.

States:

Jude

States:

even

States:

stood

States:

at

States:

one

States:

point,

States:

dancing

States:

with

States:

the

States:

film.

States:

About

States:

twenty

States:

minutes

States:

in,

States:

the

States:

doorbell

States:

rang

States:

and dhole

States:

got

States:

up,

States:

returning

States:

with

States:

two

States:

pizzas.
As

States:

the

States:

movie

States:

ran,

States:

the

States:

two

States:

continued

States:

to

States:

drink

States:

and

States:

nibbled

States:

on

States:

food.

States:

From

States:

time

States:

to

States:

time,

States:

Anthony’s

States:

mind

States:

wandered.

States:

What

States:

would

States:

Mother

States:

think

States:

about

States:

this?

States:

Drinking

States:

with

States:

a

States:

cute

States:

friend

States:

and

States:

watching

States:

a

States:

movie

States:

she

States:

never

States:

would

States:

have

States:

approved

States:

of.

States:

Man,

States:

she

States:

would

States:

flip

States:

her

States:

lid.
“Don’t

States:

forget

States:

to

States:

turn

States:

off

States:

the

States:

globe!”

States:

Jude

States:

called,

States:

pulling

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

back

States:

to

States:

the

States:

present.

States:

As

States:

the

States:

room

States:

on

States:

the

States:

screen

States:

went

States:

dark

States:

except

States:

for

States:

the

States:

blue-green

States:

sphere

States:

on

States:

the

States:

desk,

States:

he

States:

sighed. “Shit,

States:

he

States:

forgets

States:

every

States:

week.”
Anthony

States:

laughed. “Every

States:

week?”
“Huh?”

States:

Jude

States:

tilted

States:

his

States:

head. “Oh,

States:

this

States:

show

States:

not

States:

only

States:

still

States:

plays

States:

in

States:

some

States:

places,

States:

but

States:

people will

States:

act

States:

it

States:

out

States:

at

States:

the

States:

same

States:

time.”

States:

Jude

States:

smiled. “Where

States:

I

States:

saw

States:

it

States:

most,

States:

it

States:

was

States:

a

States:

weekly

States:

thing.”
“And

States:

people

States:

would

States:

go

States:

to

States:

every

States:

show?”
“Oh

States:

yeah!

States:

It

States:

kinda

States:

became

States:

a

States:

safe

States:

place

States:

for

States:

the

States:

weird.

States:

I

States:

mean,

States:

look

States:

at

States:

Frank,”

States:

Jude

States:

waved

States:

his

States:

paw. “He’s

States:

at

States:

least

States:

some

States:

flavor

States:

of

States:

queer.”

States:

As

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

finished

States:

his

States:

statement

States:

he

States:

placed

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

on

States:

Anthony’s thigh. “What

States:

did

States:

you

States:

think

States:

of

States:

it?”
Anthony’s

States:

head

States:

buzzed

States:

from

States:

the

States:

paw

States:

and

States:

the

States:

beer. “It

States:

was

States:

certainly

States:

different,” he chuckled. “I

States:

mean

States:

the

States:

costumes

States:

alone

States:

were…

States:

Wow.”
“Rocky

States:

was

States:

hot

States:

wasn’t

States:

he?”
“Oh,

States:

yeah,”

States:

Anthony

States:

replied,

States:

flopping

States:

his

States:

head

States:

back.

States:

Wait,

States:

did

States:

I

States:

just…?

States:

His

States:

head

States:

shot

States:

up

States:

as

States:

he

States:

clapped

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

over

States:

his

States:

muzzle.
Jude

States:

smiled. “I

States:

thought

States:

you

States:

might

States:

enjoy

States:

that.

States:

I’ve

States:

always

States:

been

States:

partial

States:

to

States:

the

States:

floor

States:

show.”

States:

He

States:

let

States:

out

States:

a

States:

deep

States:

breath

States:

and

States:

slumped

States:

against

States:

the

States:

jackal. “Have

States:

you

States:

ever

States:

said

States:

anything

States:

like

States:

that

States:

before?”
“Uhh,

States:

no,”

States:

Anthony

States:

admitted. “I’ve

States:

never…”

States:

His

States:

eyes

States:

sank

States:

towards

States:

his

States:

lap.
“Thought

States:

about

States:

guys?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked,

States:

filling

States:

the

States:

silence.
Anthony’s

States:

ears

States:

warmed. “I’d

States:

be

States:

lying

States:

if

States:

I

States:

said

States:

that.

States:

But

States:

I’ve

States:

never

States:

said

States:

anything.”

States:

He

States:

took

States:

a

States:

breath

States:

and

States:

closed

States:

his

States:

eyes. “Out

States:

loud.”
“Hey,

States:

another

States:

first.”

States:

Jude

States:

said. “You’re

States:

cute,

States:

you

States:

know

States:

that?”
“What?”
The

States:

dhole

States:

chuckled. “You’re

States:

cute.

States:

Especially

States:

when

States:

you’re

States:

flustered.”
“Uhh,

States:

thanks.”

States:

Anthony

States:

scratched

States:

his

States:

head

States:

in

States:

thought. “So,

States:

I

States:

guess

States:

that

States:

means

States:

you

States:

like

States:

guys?”
Jude

States:

sat

States:

up. “Some.

States:

And

States:

girls.

States:

It

States:

really

States:

depends

States:

on

States:

the

States:

person.”
“So

States:

you’re

States:

bisexual?”
The

States:

dhole

States:

shrugged. “I

States:

don’t

States:

like

States:

labels,

States:

personally.

States:

I

States:

just

States:

know

States:

I

States:

like

States:

certain

States:

people.

States:

And

States:

I

States:

like

States:

you.”
“Well…”

States:

Anthony

States:

swallowed. “I

States:

think

States:

you’re

States:

cute

States:

too.”
Jude’s

States:

tail

States:

thumped

States:

against

States:

the

States:

couch. “That

States:

makes

States:

me

States:

happy.

States:

Any

States:

other

States:

firsts you’d

States:

like

States:

to

States:

try

States:

tonight?”
As

States:

his

States:

face

States:

flushed,

States:

Anthony’s

States:

spoke

States:

before

States:

his

States:

brain

States:

could

States:

stop

States:

him. “Can

States:

I…

States:

maybe

States:

kiss

States:

you?”
Jude

States:

smiled

States:

and

States:

cupped

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

cheek. “I

States:

thought

States:

you’d

States:

never

States:

ask.”
Anthony

States:

leaned

States:

in,

States:

heart

States:

racing

States:

and

States:

ears

States:

warm

States:

and

States:

flushed –

States:

from

States:

the

States:

alcohol

States:

or

States:

his

States:

feelings,

States:

he

States:

couldn’t

States:

tell.

States:

As

States:

he

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

muzzle

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dhole’s,

States:

Anthony

States:

closed

States:

his

States:

eyes

States:

and braced

States:

his

States:

weight

States:

on

States:

Jude’s

States:

thigh.

States:

When

States:

he

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss,

States:

he

States:

let

States:

out

States:

a

States:

breath. “Wow.”
“You

States:

enjoyed

States:

that,

States:

I

States:

take

States:

it?”

States:

Jude

States:

smiled.
Anthony

States:

nodded. “Can

States:

I,”

States:

he

States:

looked

States:

away, “kiss

States:

you

States:

again?”
“You

States:

can

States:

do

States:

anything

States:

you

States:

want,”

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

said. “But

States:

maybe

States:

move

States:

a paw

States:

to

States:

the

States:

couch?”

States:

he

States:

asked,

States:

patting

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

paw. “Might

States:

be

States:

more

States:

comfortable

States:

for

States:

us

States:

both.”
“Sorry,

States:

sorry.”

States:

Anthony

States:

said.

States:

He

States:

rested

States:

his

States:

arm

States:

along

States:

the

States:

back

States:

of

States:

the

States:

couch.
“It’s

States:

okay,” Jude chuckled. “And don’t

States:

be

States:

nervous.

States:

Take

States:

it

States:

at

States:

your

States:

own

States:

pace.”
The

States:

jackal

States:

nodded

States:

again.

States:

He

States:

twisted

States:

his

States:

torso

States:

to

States:

face

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

and

States:

bent

States:

his

States:

leg

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

himself.

States:

Reaching

States:

out

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

to Jude’s

States:

cheek,

States:

he

States:

leaned

States:

in

States:

for

States:

another

States:

kiss.

States:

As

States:

their

States:

muzzles

States:

met,

States:

the

States:

jackal’s paw returned

States:

to

States:

Jude’s thigh

States:

and

States:

squeezed.
Anthony

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss

States:

and

States:

looked

States:

into

States:

Jude’s

States:

bright

States:

and

States:

inviting

States:

eyes.

States:

He

States:

pushed

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

back

States:

on

States:

the

States:

couch

States:

and braced

States:

himself

States:

on

States:

the

States:

arm rest,

States:

kissing

States:

him

States:

again.
Jude

States:

grabbed

States:

the

States:

back

States:

of

States:

Anthony’s

States:

head

States:

and

States:

opened

States:

his

States:

muzzle,

States:

inviting

States:

the

States:

jackal in.
Their

States:

tongues

States:

danced

States:

against

States:

each

States:

other

States:

as

States:

Anthony’s

States:

paw

States:

started

States:

to

States:

wander.

States:

He

States:

rubbed

States:

the

States:

muscles

States:

under

States:

Jude’s shirt,

States:

and

States:

trailed

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

down

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

stomach.

States:

A

States:

soft

States:

moan

States:

escaped

States:

as

States:

his

States:

fingers

States:

teased

States:

lower,

States:

stopping

States:

at

States:

the

States:

waist

States:

of

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

jeans.
Jude

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss. “You

States:

can

States:

keep

States:

going.

States:

If

States:

you

States:

want.”
The

States:

jackal

States:

looked

States:

between

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

legs

States:

and

States:

watched

States:

as

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

cupped

States:

the

States:

warmth

States:

there.

States:

This

States:

time,

States:

Jude

States:

let

States:

out

States:

a

States:

soft

States:

whimper.
Anthony

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

muzzle

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

again,

States:

feeling

States:

the

States:

vibrations

States:

from

States:

the

States:

moan

States:

and

States:

adding

States:

his

States:

own

States:

to

States:

the

States:

music

States:

of

States:

their

States:

passion

States:

as

States:

he

States:

squeezed

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

growing

States:

bulge.
The

States:

jackal

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss

States:

again. “Can

States:

we…”

States:

Anthony

States:

started,

States:

heat

States:

rising

States:

under

States:

his

States:

fur. “Can

States:

we

States:

move

States:

to

States:

the

States:

bedroom?”
Jude

States:

smiled. “We

States:

can.”

States:

Anthony

States:

moved

States:

to

States:

let

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

up.

States:

As

States:

Jude

States:

stood,

States:

he

States:

took

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

paw

States:

and

States:

led

States:

him

States:

down

States:

the

States:

hall.

States:

Once

States:

in

States:

his

States:

room,

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

closed

States:

the

States:

door

States:

behind

States:

them.
The

States:

jackal

States:

sat

States:

on

States:

the

States:

bed. “Can

States:

we

States:

do

States:

that

States:

again?”
With

States:

a

States:

smile

States:

on

States:

his

States:

face,

States:

Jude

States:

sat

States:

beside

States:

Anthony,

States:

guided

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

between

States:

his

States:

own

States:

legs

States:

and

States:

leaned

States:

in

States:

to

States:

kiss

States:

him

States:

again.
As

States:

their

States:

tongues

States:

met,

States:

Anthony’s

States:

paw

States:

danced

States:

along

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

growing

States:

warmth. And as the dhole’s length grew, so did his own.
Jude’s paw

States:

slipped

States:

down

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

chest

States:

to

States:

his

States:

belly

States:

and

States:

teased

States:

along

States:

his

States:

waistline.
Anthony

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss

States:

for

States:

a

States:

moment. “Keep

States:

going,”

States:

he

States:

said,

States:

and pressed

States:

his

States:

muzzle

States:

against

States:

the

States:

dhole’s.
When

States:

Jude’s

States:

paw

States:

cupped

States:

Anthony

States:

between

States:

the

States:

legs,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

moaned

States:

into

States:

the

States:

other’s

States:

muzzle.

States:

The

States:

two

States:

stayed

States:

like

States:

that

States:

with

States:

paws

States:

groping

States:

each

States:

other

States:

and

States:

muzzles

States:

locked

States:

for

States:

what

States:

felt

States:

like

States:

ages

States:

to

States:

Anthony.
Jude

States:

finally

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss. “My

States:

pants

States:

are

States:

getting

States:

a

States:

little

States:

tight.

States:

And

States:

I

States:

think

States:

yours

States:

are,

States:

too.

States:

Want

States:

to

States:

get

States:

a

States:

little

States:

more

States:

comfortable?”
The

States:

jackal’s

States:

ear

States:

twitched

States:

as

States:

he

States:

felt

States:

a

States:

familiar

States:

feeling

States:

in

States:

the

States:

back

States:

of

States:

his

States:

mind,

States:

but

States:

he

States:

pushed

States:

it

States:

away. “I

States:

will

States:

if

States:

you

States:

do

States:

first?”
Jude

States:

smiled

States:

and

States:

slipped

States:

his

States:

shirt

States:

over

States:

his

States:

head

States:

as

States:

he

States:

stood.

States:

As

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

moved

States:

to

States:

his

States:

pants,

States:

he

States:

stumbled and caught himself. “Sorry,

States:

think

States:

I’ve

States:

had

States:

more

States:

than

States:

I

States:

thought.”

States:

He

States:

smiled

States:

and

States:

stood

States:

up

States:

again

States:

and undid

States:

his

States:

pants and slid

States:

them and his briefs down.
Anthony

States:

couldn’t

States:

help

States:

but

States:

stare.

States:

The

States:

cream

States:

fur

States:

under

States:

his

States:

neck

States:

ran

States:

down

States:

his

States:

belly,

States:

arms

States:

and

States:

legs.

States:

But

States:

red

States:

fur

States:

crept

States:

over

States:

his

States:

groin.

States:

His

States:

firm

States:

shaft

States:

sprung

States:

from

States:

his

States:

brick-colored

States:

sheath

States:

and

States:

a

States:

heavy

States:

sack

States:

hung

States:

below.
Anthony’s

States:

own

States:

need

States:

pulsed

States:

in

States:

his

States:

pants,

States:

reminding

States:

him

States:

of

States:

his

States:

half

States:

of

States:

the

States:

bargain.

States:

When

States:

Jude

States:

sat

States:

back

States:

down,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

rose.

States:

With

States:

less

States:

grace

States:

and

States:

slightly

States:

more

States:

stumbling

States:

than

States:

the

States:

dhole,

States:

Anthony

States:

removed

States:

his

States:

clothes.
When

States:

he

States:

sat

States:

back

States:

on

States:

the

States:

bed,

States:

Anthony

States:

looked

States:

from

States:

Jude’s

States:

erection

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

himself. “Now

States:

what?”

States:

he

States:

asked.
Jude

States:

slid

States:

his

States:

leg

States:

along

States:

the

States:

bed,

States:

pointing

States:

his

States:

shaft

States:

towards

States:

the

States:

jackal. “Want

States:

to

States:

go

States:

back

States:

to

States:

what

States:

we

States:

were

States:

doing?”

States:

Anthony’s

States:

tail

States:

thumped

States:

against

States:

the

States:

bed

States:

in

States:

excitement

States:

as

States:

he

States:

nodded.
With

States:

a

States:

smile,

States:

Jude

States:

cupped

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

cheek

States:

and

States:

kissed

States:

him

States:

again.
Closing

States:

his

States:

eyes,

States:

Anthony

States:

let

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

wander

States:

down

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

arms

States:

to

States:

his

States:

chest.

States:

As

States:

his

States:

tongue

States:

explored

States:

Jude’s

States:

muzzle,

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

wandered

States:

over

States:

the

States:

muscles

States:

hidden

States:

beneath

States:

cream colored

States:

fur;

States:

first

States:

his

States:

chest,

States:

then

States:

his

States:

belly.

States:

The

States:

lower

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

moved,

States:

the

States:

more

States:

noticeable

States:

the

States:

warmth

States:

radiating

States:

from

States:

between

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

legs

States:

became.
Anthony

States:

broke

States:

the

States:

kiss

States:

and

States:

stared

States:

again

States:

as

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

trailed

States:

down

States:

Jude’s side

States:

and

States:

caressed

States:

his

States:

thigh.

States:

The

States:

jackal

States:

glanced

States:

up

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

with

States:

a

States:

lick

States:

of

States:

his

States:

lips

States:

before

States:

sliding

States:

between

States:

Jude’s

States:

legs,

States:

gripping

States:

the

States:

other’s shaft.

States:

His

States:

own

States:

need

States:

pulsed

States:

as

States:

he

States:

slid

States:

along

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

length.
Jude

States:

let

States:

out

States:

a

States:

ragged

States:

breath

States:

and his paw

States:

rested

States:

on

States:

Anthony’s

States:

knee.
Again,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

looked

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dhole,

States:

but

States:

then,

States:

this

States:

time

States:

to

States:

his

States:

own

States:

erect

States:

need.

States:

With

States:

is

States:

other

States:

paw,

States:

he

States:

set

States:

it

States:

atop

States:

Jude’s

States:

and

States:

gently

States:

guided

States:

it

States:

between

States:

his

States:

legs.

States:

And

States:

when

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

paws

States:

wrapped

States:

about

States:

his

States:

flesh,

States:

he

States:

gave

States:

his

States:

own

States:

soft

States:

moan.
Jude

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

forehead

States:

to

States:

the

States:

jackal’s. “Do

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

finish

States:

like

States:

this?”
“Can we?” Anthony whispered.
The dhole nodded. “We

States:

can

States:

do

States:

whatever

States:

you

States:

want.”

States:

He

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

muzzle

States:

to

States:

Anthony’s,

States:

kissing

States:

him

States:

again

States:

as

States:

both

States:

paws

States:

began

States:

a

States:

steady

States:

pace.
     #      
The

States:

incessant

States:

beeping

States:

broke

States:

through

States:

the

States:

jackal’s slumber.

States:

What

States:

in

States:

the

States:

world

States:

is

States:

that?

States:

Anthony

States:

rolled

States:

over

States:

towards

States:

the

States:

sound

States:

and

States:

peeled

States:

his

States:

eyes

States:

open.

States:

As

States:

he

States:

started

States:

to

States:

focus,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

saw

States:

a

States:

wall

States:

of

States:

red

States:

fur.

States:

Huh?

States:

He

States:

blinked.

States:

The

States:

beeping

States:

grew

States:

louder,

States:

and

States:

his

States:

head

States:

warmed

States:

in

States:

pain.
“Damn

States:

alarm,”

States:

Jude

States:

grumbled.

States:

He

States:

stumbled

States:

out of

States:

bed

States:

and

States:

walked

States:

over

States:

to

States:

the

States:

dresser,

States:

hitting

States:

the

States:

ancient

States:

looking

States:

clock

States:

with

States:

a

States:

thud.
Anthony

States:

blinked

States:

as

States:

he

States:

saw

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

standing

States:

there

States:

in

States:

just

States:

his

States:

tight

States:

underwear. “Uhh,

States:

morning,

States:

Jude.”
The

States:

dhole

States:

turned

States:

and

States:

smiled. “Morning.

States:

How you

States:

feeling?”
Anthony

States:

looked

States:

away

States:

and

States:

put

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

to

States:

his

States:

head. “A

States:

small

States:

headache

States:

and

States:

my

States:

mouth’s

States:

kinda

States:

dry.”
“Sorry

States:

about

States:

that.

States:

I

States:

should

States:

have

States:

had

States:

you

States:

drink

States:

some

States:

water

States:

before

States:

we

States:

went

States:

to

States:

bed.”

States:

Jude

States:

began

States:

to

States:

move

States:

about

States:

the

States:

room,

States:

gathering

States:

clothes. “I

States:

wear

States:

a

States:

medium

States:

shirt,

States:

that

States:

fit

States:

you?”
“Yeah,

States:

it

States:

shouldn’t

States:

be

States:

an

States:

issue.”

States:

Anthony

States:

sighed

States:

and

States:

sat

States:

up,

States:

stretching

States:

his

States:

arms

States:

to

States:

the

States:

roof.

States:

He

States:

watched as

States:

Jude

States:

started

States:

to

States:

dig

States:

through

States:

his

States:

closet

States:

of

States:

clothes,

States:

tail

States:

wagging

States:

above

States:

his

States:

taut

States:

rump.
Stop

States:

staring

States:

at

States:

the

States:

nice

States:

view,

States:

Anthony

States:

scolded

States:

himself.

States:

Turning

States:

his

States:

head,

States:

his

States:

gaze

States:

fell

States:

to

States:

the

States:

mirror

States:

that

States:

sat

States:

above

States:

the

States:

dresser.

States:

His

States:

fur

States:

and

States:

cross

States:

was

States:

all

States:

that

States:

stared

States:

back.

States:

Reaching

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

under

States:

the

States:

covers

States:

he

States:

found

States:

the

States:

cross

States:

around

States:

his

States:

neck

States:

was

States:

the

States:

only

States:

thing

States:

he

States:

wore.
“Does

States:

this

States:

work

States:

for

States:

you?”

States:

Jude

States:

held

States:

up

States:

a

States:

button down

States:

shirt.
“That’s

States:

fine,”

States:

Anthony

States:

said

States:

without

States:

looking

States:

and

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

returned

States:

to

States:

his

States:

closet.

States:

Memories

States:

of

States:

the

States:

night

States:

before

States:

came

States:

flooding

States:

back;

States:

the

States:

kissing,

States:

the

States:

groping. “Jude?”

States:

Anthony

States:

started,

States:

pulling

States:

the

States:

blanket

States:

tighter

States:

around

States:

himself. “What

States:

happened

States:

last

States:

night?”
“We

States:

carved

States:

pumpkins,

States:

drank

States:

about

States:

two

States:

six-packs

States:

between

States:

us.

States:

Not

States:

a

States:

lot,

States:

but

States:

we

States:

didn’t

States:

get

States:

as

States:

much

States:

food

States:

in

States:

as

States:

I

States:

thought,

States:

though.

States:

The alcohol

States:

may

States:

have

States:

hit

States:

you

States:

a

States:

bit

States:

harder

States:

than

States:

expected?”

States:

The

States:

dhole

States:

turned

States:

around.
Anthony’s

States:

eyes

States:

were

States:

on

States:

the

States:

foot

States:

of

States:

the

States:

bed.
“You

States:

okay,

States:

dude?”

States:

He

States:

waited

States:

for

States:

a

States:

response.

States:

When

States:

nothing

States:

came,

States:

Jude

States:

crawled

States:

beside

States:

Anthony. “If

States:

it’s

States:

about

States:

our

States:

state

States:

of

States:

undress,

States:

we

States:

didn’t

States:

have

States:

sex,”

States:

he

States:

said. “But,

States:

we

States:

were

States:

both

States:

paws-y.”
Anthony

States:

sniffed.

States:

Oh

States:

no.

States:

A

States:

tear

States:

rolled

States:

down

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

cheek.

States:

Oh

States:

no,

States:

oh

States:

no, oh

States:

no.
“Hey,

States:

you

States:

didn’t

States:

push

States:

me

States:

to

States:

do

States:

anything

States:

I

States:

didn’t

States:

want,”

States:

Jude

States:

said.
“But

States:

I

States:

wanted

States:

it,

States:

too.”

States:

Anthony’s

States:

voice

States:

cracked

States:

with

States:

emotion.
Jude

States:

nodded. “But,

States:

that

States:

isn’t

States:

bad.”
“Yes

States:

it

States:

is,”

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

whispered

States:

as

States:

another

States:

tear

States:

rolled

States:

down

States:

his

States:

cheek.
Jude

States:

put

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

on

States:

his

States:

shoulder. “Do

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

talk

States:

about

States:

it?”

States:

Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “Okay,

States:

but

States:

I’m

States:

here

States:

if

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

talk.

States:

And

States:

I

States:

think

States:

talking

States:

about

States:

this

States:

may

States:

help

States:

you,

States:

buddy.”
The

States:

dhole

States:

stood

States:

and

States:

grabbed

States:

a

States:

long

States:

robe,

States:

covering

States:

himself

States:

up. “I’ll

States:

leave

States:

you

States:

to

States:

change

States:

while

States:

I

States:

get

States:

breakfast

States:

ready.

States:

If

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

shower,

States:

feel

States:

free.

States:

It’s

States:

right

States:

across

States:

the

States:

hall,”

States:

Jude

States:

pointed

States:

to

States:

the

States:

door.
Anthony

States:

nodded,

States:

not

States:

taking

States:

his

States:

eyes

States:

off

States:

the

States:

bed

States:

as

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

walked

States:

out

States:

of

States:

the

States:

room,

States:

closing

States:

the

States:

door

States:

behind

States:

him.

States:

He

States:

took

States:

a

States:

breath

States:

and

States:

crossed

States:

himself,

States:

crying.

States:

Oh my

States:

God,

States:

I

States:

am

States:

heartily

States:

sorry…
#
Anthony

States:

stepped

States:

out

States:

of

States:

the

States:

bathroom

States:

and

States:

the

States:

smell

States:

of

States:

coffee

States:

and

States:

eggs

States:

hit

States:

him

States:

as

States:

he

States:

made

States:

his

States:

way

States:

into

States:

the

States:

dining room.
“Hey.

States:

Good

States:

timing.”

States:

Jude

States:

smiled,

States:

but

States:

the

States:

spark

States:

that

States:

was

States:

in

States:

his

States:

eye

States:

yesterday

States:

wasn’t

States:

there

States:

now.
“Hey,”

States:

Anthony

States:

waved

States:

a

States:

paw.

States:

His

States:

tail

States:

hung

States:

limp

States:

and

States:

his

States:

ears

States:

were

States:

low.
“I

States:

just

States:

finished

States:

scrambling

States:

some

States:

eggs

States:

and

States:

making

States:

toast.

States:

And

States:

I

States:

found

States:

a

States:

few

States:

packets

States:

of

States:

tea;

States:

I

States:

could

States:

microwave

States:

some

States:

water

States:

if

States:

you

States:

want.”
Anthony

States:

nodded.
The

States:

dhole

States:

filled

States:

a

States:

mug

States:

and

States:

set

States:

it

States:

in

States:

the

States:

microwave.

States:

While

States:

it

States:

heated,

States:

Jude

States:

puttered

States:

around

States:

the

States:

kitchen.

States:

As

States:

he

States:

set

States:

two

States:

plates

States:

on

States:

the

States:

table,

States:

the

States:

microwave

States:

dinged. “Dig

States:

in.

States:

Don’t

States:

wait

States:

on

States:

my

States:

account.”

States:

Jude

States:

hummed

States:

as

States:

he

States:

grabbed

States:

the

States:

mug

States:

for

States:

Anthony

States:

and

States:

poured

States:

himself

States:

a

States:

cup

States:

of

States:

coffee.
The

States:

jackal

States:

picked

States:

up

States:

his

States:

fork

States:

and

States:

pushed

States:

the

States:

food

States:

around

States:

his

States:

plate.
Setting

States:

the

States:

mugs

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

each

States:

place

States:

setting,

States:

Jude

States:

took

States:

his

States:

own

States:

seat

States:

and

States:

watched

States:

the

States:

jackal. “Do

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

talk

States:

about

States:

it?”
Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head

States:

and

States:

pushed

States:

the

States:

plate

States:

back. “Sorry,

States:

I’m

States:

not

States:

hungry

States:

right

States:

now.”
“Feeling

States:

sick?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked.
“No.”
The

States:

dhole

States:

went

States:

back

States:

to

States:

the

States:

kitchen

States:

and

States:

drew

States:

a

States:

glass

States:

of

States:

water. “Maybe

States:

you’re

States:

a

States:

bit

States:

hung

States:

over

States:

still.

States:

Food

States:

may

States:

help.”

States:

Jude set

States:

the

States:

water

States:

beside

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

tea. “At

States:

least

States:

try

States:

to

States:

eat

States:

the

States:

toast.”
Anthony

States:

nodded.
“Once

States:

the

States:

alcohol’s

States:

out

States:

of

States:

your

States:

system,

States:

you’ll

States:

feel

States:

better.”

States:

Jude

States:

smiled.
“Thanks,”

States:

Anthony

States:

replied. “But

States:

I

States:

don’t

States:

think

States:

guilt

States:

works

States:

that

States:

way.”
The

States:

dhole

States:

set

States:

down

States:

his

States:

fork. “I

States:

know

States:

I

States:

said

States:

I’d

States:

get

States:

you

States:

to

States:

church,

States:

but

States:

you

States:

don’t

States:

look

States:

like

States:

you’re

States:

in

States:

any

States:

shape

States:

to

States:

go.

States:

Do

States:

you

States:

want

States:

to

States:

stay

States:

here

States:

instead?”
Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “I

States:

have

States:

to

States:

go.

States:

It’s

States:

the

States:

least

States:

I

States:

need

States:

to

States:

do.”
“Okay.”

States:

He

States:

started

States:

to

States:

reach

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

out

States:

to

States:

the

States:

jackal,

States:

but

States:

stopped. “If

States:

you

States:

change

States:

your

States:

mind,

States:

just

States:

let

States:

me

States:

know.”

States:

Anthony

States:

simply

States:

nodded. “I’m

States:

going

States:

to

States:

take

States:

a

States:

real

States:

quick

States:

shower.

States:

I’ll

States:

be

States:

back,

States:

okay?”
Again,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

nodded.

States:

From

States:

the

States:

corner

States:

of

States:

his

States:

eye,

States:

he

States:

saw

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

walk

States:

past

States:

him

States:

and

States:

moments

States:

later

States:

the

States:

shower

States:

started.

States:

He

States:

sat

States:

there,

States:

with

States:

his

States:

mind

States:

racing.

States:

He

States:

replayed

States:

the

States:

night

States:

before

States:

and

States:

guilt

States:

flooded

States:

his

States:

body.

States:

I’m

States:

going

States:

to

States:

burn

States:

in

States:

hell.

States:

He

States:

fought

States:

back

States:

the

States:

tears

States:

and,

States:

before

States:

he

States:

knew

States:

it,

States:

Jude

States:

returned.
“Ready

States:

to

States:

go?”

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

asked.
“Huh?

States:

Oh,

States:

yeah.”

States:

Anthony

States:

stood,

States:

rubbing

States:

his

States:

eyes. “Should

States:

I

States:

do

States:

anything

States:

with

States:

the

States:

plates?”
Jude

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “Don’t

States:

worry.

States:

I’ll

States:

get

States:

them

States:

when

States:

I

States:

get

States:

back.”
Anthony

States:

nodded

States:

and

States:

followed

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

to

States:

his

States:

car.

States:

Still

States:

lost

States:

inside

States:

himself,

States:

he

States:

sat

States:

in

States:

silence

States:

through

States:

the

States:

ride

States:

to

States:

the

States:

church.

States:

Absent

States:

from

States:

the

States:

present,

States:

he

States:

didn’t

States:

hear

States:

the

States:

service.

States:

Muscle

States:

memory

States:

drove

States:

him

States:

through

States:

the

States:

motions,

States:

but

States:

when

States:

it

States:

came

States:

time

States:

to

States:

receive

States:

communion,

States:

he

States:

stayed

States:

seated.
Between

States:

his

States:

thoughts

States:

and

States:

personal

States:

prayers,

States:

he

States:

missed

States:

when

States:

the

States:

other

States:

parishioners

States:

started

States:

to

States:

shuffle

States:

out.
Jude

States:

placed

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

on

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

arm. “Hey,

States:

you

States:

there?”
Anthony

States:

blinked

States:

and

States:

looked

States:

at

States:

the

States:

dhole. “Yeah.

States:

Sorry.

States:

I’m

States:

just,”

States:

he

States:

waved

States:

his

States:

wrist, “lost

States:

in

States:

thought.”
Jude

States:

sighed. “Mind

States:

if

States:

I

States:

take

States:

you

States:

one

States:

last

States:

place?”
Anthony

States:

shrugged. “What

States:

more

States:

harm

States:

could

States:

it

States:

do?”
The

States:

dhole

States:

flinched,

States:

but

States:

didn’t

States:

reply.

States:

He

States:

stood,

States:

waving

States:

his

States:

arm

States:

for

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

to

States:

follow.
As

States:

they

States:

got

States:

into

States:

Jude’s

States:

car,

States:

Anthony

States:

kept

States:

his

States:

eyes

States:

on

States:

his

States:

knees

States:

and

States:

they

States:

drove

States:

in

States:

silence.

States:

He

States:

didn’t

States:

look

States:

outside

States:

the

States:

window

States:

until

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

pulled

States:

into

States:

a

States:

parking

States:

lot.
“We’re

States:

here.”

States:

The

States:

dhole

States:

got

States:

out

States:

of

States:

the

States:

car.
Anthony

States:

looked

States:

around. “The

States:

farmer’s

States:

market?”
“Yeah.”

States:

He

States:

gave

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

a

States:

weak

States:

smile.
They

States:

walked

States:

past

States:

the

States:

empty

States:

booths

States:

and

States:

strolled

States:

by

States:

the

States:

pumpkin

States:

patch.

States:

People

States:

were

States:

there

States:

picking

States:

pumpkins,

States:

but

States:

Jude

States:

ignored

States:

them. “I

States:

think

States:

we

States:

have

States:

about

States:

an

States:

hour

States:

and

States:

a

States:

half.”

States:

The

States:

dhole

States:

checked

States:

his

States:

watch

States:

as

States:

they

States:

walked

States:

up

States:

to

States:

the

States:

maze.
“Sorry folks,

States:

not

States:

open

States:

yet,”

States:

the

States:

ram

States:

said

States:

from

States:

a

States:

few

States:

feet

States:

away.
“I

States:

know,

States:

John.

States:

But

States:

it’s

States:

important.

States:

Mind if

States:

me

States:

and

States:

my

States:

friend

States:

head in?”

States:

the dhole

States:

asked.
“Oh

States:

hey,

States:

Jude.

States:

I

States:

didn’t

States:

recognize

States:

you.

States:

Bad

States:

eyes

States:

and

States:

that.”

States:

The

States:

ram

States:

scratched

States:

his

States:

head. “Sure.

States:

Head

States:

on

States:

in.”

States:

He

States:

shrugged.
“Thank

States:

you,

States:

sir,”

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

said

States:

and he

States:

climbed

States:

the

States:

gate.
Anthony

States:

followed

States:

behind

States:

him

States:

head

States:

down,

States:

barely

States:

paying

States:

attention

States:

to

States:

the

States:

maze.

States:

Unlike

States:

their

States:

first

States:

trip

States:

through,

States:

Jude

States:

walked

States:

along

States:

with

States:

the

States:

jackal.

States:

The

States:

two

States:

canids

States:

made

States:

their

States:

way

States:

through

States:

the

States:

path

States:

as

States:

it

States:

twisted

States:

and

States:

turned.
When

States:

they

States:

reached

States:

the

States:

central

States:

courtyard,

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

spread

States:

his

States:

arms

States:

out

States:

wide

States:

and

States:

took

States:

a

States:

deep

States:

breath.

States:

He

States:

exhaled

States:

and

States:

dropped

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

back

States:

to

States:

his

States:

side

States:

and

States:

walked

States:

around

States:

the

States:

perimeter

States:

of

States:

the

States:

courtyard.

States:

Anthony

States:

took

States:

a

States:

seat,

States:

watching

States:

the

States:

dhole.
After

States:

a

States:

full

States:

rotation,

States:

Jude

States:

stopped

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

the

States:

jackal.

States:

He

States:

looked

States:

down

States:

at

States:

him

States:

for

States:

a

States:

moment

States:

before

States:

muscling

States:

another

States:

hay

States:

bale

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

Anthony.

States:

Crossing

States:

his

States:

legs,

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

sat

States:

on

States:

the

States:

bale

States:

across

States:

from

States:

the

States:

jackal.
Jude

States:

sighed. “You’ve

States:

been

States:

quiet

States:

all

States:

morning

States:

and

States:

you

States:

didn’t

States:

take

States:

communion.

States:

I’m

States:

worried

States:

about

States:

you.”
The

States:

jackal

States:

looked

States:

away. “I

States:

don’t

States:

know

States:

if

States:

I

States:

want

States:

to

States:

talk

States:

about

States:

it

States:

yet.”
“I

States:

completely

States:

understand

States:

that,”

States:

Jude

States:

said,

States:

softening

States:

his

States:

voice. “But

States:

talking

States:

through

States:

your

States:

issues

States:

with

States:

someone

States:

who’s

States:

been

States:

there

States:

can

States:

really

States:

help.”

States:

He

States:

waved

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

around

States:

the

States:

cornfield. “It’s

States:

private

States:

here

States:

and

States:

anything

States:

you

States:

say

States:

to

States:

me

States:

will

States:

stay

States:

with

States:

me.”
Anthony

States:

didn’t

States:

respond.
“Hey,”

States:

Jude

States:

said, “you

States:

did

States:

a

States:

lot

States:

of

States:

other

States:

things

States:

for

States:

the

States:

first

States:

time

States:

yesterday

States:

that

States:

you

States:

weren’t

States:

allowed

States:

to,

States:

right?

States:

The

States:

maze,

States:

the pumpkins,

States:

the

States:

beer.

States:

Did

States:

any

States:

of

States:

that

States:

feel

States:

bad

States:

or

States:

wrong?”
Tears

States:

began

States:

to

States:

dampen

States:

Anthony’s

States:

cheek

States:

ruff. “No,

States:

but

States:

you

States:

kept

States:

reminding

States:

me

States:

I

States:

could

States:

say

States:

no.”

States:

He

States:

glared

States:

at

States:

the

States:

dhole. “In

States:

some

States:

way,

States:

you

States:

gave

States:

me

States:

the

States:

chance

States:

to

States:

back

States:

out.

States:

But

States:

you

States:

never

States:

did

States:

then.”
Jude nodded and

States:

looked

States:

down. “You’re

States:

right. And

States:

I

States:

should

States:

have.

States:

I

States:

wasn’t

States:

the

States:

most

States:

sober

States:

either

States:

and

States:

I

States:

made

States:

a

States:

mistake

States:

there.”

States:

He

States:

sighed

States:

and

States:

met

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

gaze

States:

again. “But

States:

what

States:

about

States:

that

States:

first has

States:

you

States:

so

States:

upset?”
There

States:

was

States:

a

States:

moment

States:

of

States:

silence

States:

before

States:

Anthony

States:

spoke. “I’m

States:

scared,”

States:

he

States:

whispered.
“Of

States:

what?

States:

Me?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked.
Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “Are

States:

you

States:

really

States:

going

States:

to

States:

make

States:

me

States:

say

States:

it?”
“I

States:

can’t

States:

help

States:

you

States:

unless

States:

I

States:

know

States:

what’s

States:

wrong.”
Jude tried

States:

to

States:

set

States:

a paw on

States:

Anthony’s

States:

shoulder,

States:

but

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

smacked

States:

it

States:

away. “Really?

States:

You

States:

want

States:

to

States:

help?

States:

Don’t

States:

you

States:

think

States:

you’ve

States:

helped

States:

enough?”
The

States:

dhole

States:

furrowed

States:

his

States:

brow

States:

and tilted

States:

his

States:

head. “I

States:

caught

States:

the

States:

comment

States:

you

States:

made

States:

before.

States:

What

States:

was

States:

so

States:

wrong

States:

about

States:

being

States:

intimate

States:

with

States:

someone?”
“Are

States:

you

States:

serious?”
Jude

States:

leaned

States:

back. “Yeah.”
“Really?”

States:

Venom

States:

dripped

States:

from

States:

his

States:

voice

States:

as

States:

his

States:

volume

States:

rose. “Really?

States:

Okay,

States:

fine.

States:

I’ll

States:

spell

States:

it

States:

out.

States:

I’m

States:

terrified

States:

of

States:

going

States:

to

States:

Hell.”
“Why

States:

would

States:

you

States:

think

States:

you are

States:

going

States:

to

States:

Hell?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked. “You’re

States:

a

States:

good

States:

person.”

States:

He

States:

set

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

on

States:

his

States:

crossed

States:

knees
“But

States:

last

States:

night!”

States:

Tears

States:

began

States:

streaming

States:

down

States:

his

States:

muzzle

States:

and

States:

he

States:

began

States:

shouting. “It’s

States:

the

States:

same

States:

reason

States:

I

States:

didn’t

States:

take

States:

communion;

States:

I’m unclean. ‘A

States:

man

States:

shall

States:

not

States:

lay

States:

with

States:

another

States:

man

States:

as

States:

he

States:

does

States:

a

States:

woman,

States:

for

States:

it

States:

is

States:

an

States:

abomination.’

States:

I

States:

need

States:

to

States:

repent

States:

before

States:

I

States:

can

States:

accept

States:

His

States:

presence

States:

again

States:

and

States:

you-”

States:

he

States:

jabbed

States:

a

States:

finger

States:

at

States:

the

States:

dhole, “pushed

States:

me

States:

to

States:

a

States:

place

States:

you

States:

knew

States:

I

States:

wouldn’t

States:

have

States:

wanted

States:

to

States:

go

States:

and

States:

now

States:

I’m

States:

going

States:

to

States:

burn

States:

in

States:

Hell.”
Jude’s

States:

jaw

States:

fell

States:

open

States:

and

States:

he

States:

tried

States:

to

States:

sit

States:

beside

States:

Anthony. “You’re

States:

not

States:

going

States:

to

States:

Hell-”
The

States:

jackal

States:

sprang

States:

up. “You

States:

don’t

States:

know

States:

that!

States:

You

States:

aren’t

States:

God.”
The

States:

dhole

States:

made

States:

his

States:

way

States:

over to

States:

Anthony

States:

and set

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

on his

States:

shoulder. “Hey-”
“Don’t

States:

touch

States:

me!”

States:

He

States:

slapped

States:

Jude’s

States:

paw

States:

away

States:

again. “This

States:

is

States:

all

States:

your

States:

fault.”

States:

The

States:

jackal

States:

jabbed

States:

a

States:

finger

States:

to

States:

him.
“Anthony,

States:

calm

States:

down!”
“Why

States:

do

States:

you

States:

think

States:

you

States:

can

States:

tell

States:

me

States:

what

States:

to

States:

do?”
“Because

States:

I’m

States:

trying

States:

to

States:

help

States:

you.”
The

States:

jackal

States:

threw

States:

his

States:

paws

States:

in

States:

the

States:

air. “How

States:

in

States:

the

States:

world

States:

do

States:

you

States:

think

States:

you’re

States:

going

States:

to

States:

help

States:

me

States:

now?”
Without

States:

another

States:

word,

States:

Jude

States:

wrapped

States:

his

States:

arms

States:

around

States:

the

States:

jackal.
“No!

States:

Get

States:

your

States:

paws

States:

off

States:

me!”
“I

States:

won’t.”

States:

Jude

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head.
“Let

States:

me

States:

go!”

States:

Anthony

States:

pushed

States:

against

States:

the

States:

dholes

States:

shoulders,

States:

trying

States:

to

States:

free

States:

himself.
“I

States:

won’t.

States:

I

States:

know

States:

I

States:

messed

States:

up, but

States:

I

States:

thought

States:

you

States:

wanted

States:

to.

States:

I’m

States:

sorry.

States:

I

States:

already

States:

said

States:

it

States:

and

States:

I’ll

States:

say

States:

it

States:

again.

States:

I’m

States:

sorry.”

States:

He

States:

tightened

States:

his

States:

grip

States:

around

States:

him. “I’m

States:

so

States:

sorry,

States:

Anthony.”
“I

States:

don’t

States:

care,”

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

yelled. “I

States:

don’t

States:

care.”

States:

Again

States:

and

States:

again,

States:

he

States:

shouted

States:

until

States:

the

States:

words

States:

morphed

States:

into

States:

cries

States:

of

States:

anguish

States:

and

States:

fear.

States:

Losing

States:

his

States:

will

States:

to

States:

fight –

States:

against

States:

both

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

and

States:

his

States:

feelings –

States:

he

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

head

States:

against

States:

Jude’s

States:

shoulder,

States:

dampening the

States:

his

States:

friend’s

States:

shirt

States:

with

States:

his

States:

tears.
Loosening

States:

his

States:

grip

States:

around

States:

Anthony,

States:

Jude

States:

continued

States:

to

States:

hold

States:

him,

States:

rubbing

States:

his

States:

back.
As

States:

Anthony’s

States:

wails

States:

turns

States:

to

States:

sobs

States:

and

States:

sobs

States:

turned

States:

to

States:

sniffles,

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

spoke

States:

up. “I’m

States:

really

States:

sorry. I

States:

understand

States:

your

States:

feelings

States:

and

States:

I

States:

know

States:

where

States:

you’re

States:

coming

States:

from.

States:

But

States:

I

States:

really

States:

think

States:

you’ll

States:

be

States:

okay.

States:

I

States:

mean,

States:

Leviticus

States:

has

States:

a

States:

lot

States:

of

States:

rules.

States:

Most

States:

of

States:

which

States:

are

States:

ignored

States:

today.

States:

Do

States:

you

States:

feel

States:

guilty

States:

eating

States:

shrimp

States:

or

States:

lobster? Do

States:

you

States:

feel

States:

you

States:

need

States:

to

States:

repent

States:

then?”
Anthony

States:

tightened

States:

his

States:

muscles

States:

around

States:

the

States:

dhole,

States:

trying

States:

to

States:

hold

States:

on

States:

to

States:

him

States:

like

States:

a

States:

buoy

States:

in

States:

the

States:

sea,

States:

clenched

States:

jaw

States:

and

States:

tears

States:

still

States:

falling

States:

down

States:

his

States:

cheeks.
“And

States:

do

States:

you

States:

check

States:

every

States:

clothing

States:

tag

States:

before

States:

you

States:

buy

States:

a

States:

shirt?”

States:

Jude

States:

continued. “A

States:

lot

States:

of

States:

shirts

States:

are mixed

States:

materials,

States:

which

States:

Leviticus

States:

forbids,

States:

too.”
“But

States:

I

States:

heard

States:

how

States:

acting

States:

on

States:

feelings

States:

you

States:

have

States:

towards

States:

the

States:

same

States:

sex

States:

is

States:

bad

States:

so

States:

often

States:

growing

States:

up.

States:

Again

States:

and

States:

again.

States:

It’s

States:

been

States:

drilled

States:

into

States:

my

States:

core

States:

as

States:

true.”

States:

Jude

States:

pulled

States:

back,

States:

holding

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

by

States:

the

States:

shoulders. “I

States:

truly

States:

believe

States:

that

States:

God

States:

loves

States:

every

States:

one

States:

of

States:

us.

States:

Every

States:

species,

States:

every

States:

nationality,

States:

every

States:

sexuality.”

States:

As

States:

he

States:

said

States:

the

States:

last

States:

words,

States:

Jude

States:

squeezed

States:

the

States:

jackal. “Just

States:

because

States:

you’re

States:

Catholic

States:

doesn’t

States:

mean

States:

you

States:

can’t

States:

be

States:

gay.

States:

Or

States:

love

States:

a

States:

man.

States:

You

States:

can

States:

be

States:

both

States:

gay

States:

and

States:

a

States:

person

States:

of

States:

faith.”
As

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

said

States:

that,

States:

a

States:

breeze

States:

rustled

States:

the

States:

corn stalks

States:

around

States:

them.
Jude

States:

looked

States:

around,

States:

taking

States:

a

States:

breath. “‘The

States:

Son

States:

of

States:

Man

States:

has

States:

come

States:

to

States:

seek

States:

and

States:

save

States:

what

States:

was

States:

lost,’”

States:

Jude

States:

said

States:

from

States:

far

States:

away.
Anthony

States:

finally

States:

lifted

States:

his

States:

head,

States:

looking

States:

at

States:

the

States:

dhole. “And

States:

what’s that from?”
Jude

States:

chuckled. “You

States:

really

States:

weren’t paying

States:

attention in

States:

church

States:

today.”

States:

He

States:

stretched

States:

his

States:

arms

States:

high

States:

above

States:

his

States:

head

States:

before

States:

dropping

States:

them

States:

to

States:

his

States:

side. “It

States:

was

States:

from

States:

the

States:

Gospel

States:

reading.

States:

I’m

States:

not

States:

equating

States:

myself

States:

to

States:

Christ,

States:

but

States:

I’ll

States:

help you

States:

as

States:

I

States:

can.”
“Didn’t

States:

Shakespeare

States:

write ‘the

States:

devil

States:

can

States:

quote

States:

scripture

States:

for

States:

his

States:

own

States:

purpose’?”

States:

Jude

States:

scowled.
“Merchant

States:

of

States:

Venice,

States:

Act 1,

States:

Scene 3. Touché. But

States:

I

States:

keep

States:

saying

States:

I’m

States:

not

States:

perfect,”

States:

he

States:

said, “but

States:

I

States:

am

States:

confident

States:

in

States:

myself

States:

and

States:

God’s

States:

love.”
“How?”

States:

Anthony

States:

sat back

States:

on

States:

a

States:

hay

States:

bale,

States:

looking

States:

back

States:

at

States:

his

States:

knees. “How

States:

can

States:

you

States:

be

States:

so

States:

sure?”
“You

States:

remember

States:

how

States:

I

States:

said

States:

I

States:

don’t

States:

feel

States:

alone

States:

here?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked.

States:

The

States:

jackal

States:

nodded. “I

States:

find

States:

this

States:

place

States:

just

States:

hums

States:

with

States:

spirituality

States:

and I

States:

always

States:

feel

States:

His

States:

presence

States:

here.

States:

I

States:

never

States:

feel

States:

judged;

States:

just

States:

safe.”
“I

States:

don’t

States:

know

States:

if

States:

I

States:

can

States:

feel

States:

that

States:

way,”

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

said.
“Well,

States:

you

States:

aren’t

States:

alone,

States:

Anthony.

States:

There

States:

are

States:

church’s

States:

that

States:

welcome

States:

an

States:

LGBTQ

States:

congregation,

States:

and

States:

so

States:

many

States:

people

States:

that

States:

won’t

States:

care

States:

about

States:

who

States:

you

States:

love.

States:

And

States:

I’m

States:

here

States:

for

States:

you,

States:

too.”

States:

The

States:

dhole

States:

held

States:

out

States:

a

States:

paw

States:

to

States:

him. “Start

States:

by

States:

putting

States:

one

States:

foot

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

the

States:

other.”
Anthony

States:

put

States:

his

States:

paw

States:

in

States:

Jude’s

States:

and

States:

stood.

States:

As

States:

their

States:

eyes

States:

met

States:

again,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

saw

States:

the

States:

spark

States:

back

States:

in

States:

Jude’s

States:

eyes,

States:

and

States:

he

States:

finally

States:

broke

States:

down

States:

in

States:

earnest.

States:

Anthony

States:

wrapped

States:

his

States:

arms

States:

around

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

middle

States:

and

States:

pressed

States:

his

States:

face

States:

to

States:

his

States:

shirt

States:

as

States:

he

States:

let

States:

out

States:

heavy

States:

sobs

States:

of

States:

anguish.
Jude

States:

held

States:

on

States:

to

States:

him

States:

as

States:

he

States:

cried

States:

out

States:

the

States:

pent up

States:

pain

States:

and

States:

denial

States:

he

States:

held

States:

in

States:

over

States:

the

States:

years.
When

States:

he

States:

started

States:

to

States:

calm

States:

down,

States:

Jude

States:

spoke

States:

again. “I

States:

don’t

States:

think

States:

your

States:

issue

States:

is

States:

with

States:

your

States:

faith,

States:

Anthony.

States:

And

States:

here’s

States:

the

States:

proof.

States:

It

States:

seems

States:

like

States:

you

States:

may

States:

need

States:

to

States:

come

States:

to

States:

terms

States:

with

States:

who

States:

you

States:

are.”
“But

States:

I

States:

don’t

States:

know

States:

if

States:

I

States:

can,”

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

said

States:

with

States:

his

States:

head

States:

pressed

States:

against

States:

his

States:

middle.
“Then

States:

let me

States:

help

States:

you

States:

work

States:

through

States:

it.”

States:

Jude

States:

lifted

States:

the

States:

jackal’s chin. “I

States:

really

States:

do

States:

care

States:

for

States:

you.

States:

As

States:

a

States:

friend,

States:

first

States:

and

States:

foremost.”
Anthony

States:

nodded.

States:

The

States:

wind

States:

rustled

States:

the

States:

yellow

States:

leaves

States:

and

States:

stalks

States:

around

States:

him,

States:

calming him

States:

further. “Thanks.”
Jude

States:

took

States:

a

States:

breath

States:

before

States:

continuing. “And

States:

I’m

States:

sorry

States:

about

States:

last

States:

night.

States:

I

States:

didn’t

States:

mean

States:

to upset

States:

you

States:

or

States:

freak

States:

you

States:

out.

States:

We

States:

should

States:

have

States:

talked

States:

first.”
Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “I

States:

did

States:

what

States:

I

States:

wanted.

States:

I

States:

need

States:

to

States:

learn

States:

to

States:

live

States:

with

States:

the

States:

consequences.”
“Well,

States:

you

States:

know

States:

I’ll

States:

help

States:

you

States:

however

States:

I

States:

can,

States:

right?”
Anthony

States:

nodded.
“If

States:

you

States:

want

States:

me

States:

to

States:

take

States:

you

States:

home,

States:

I

States:

will,”

States:

Jude

States:

said.
“Could

States:

I,

States:

maybe,

States:

stay

States:

with

States:

you

States:

a

States:

little

States:

longer?

States:

Maybe

States:

we

States:

could

States:

try

States:

to

States:

talk

States:

a

States:

little

States:

more?”
Jude

States:

nodded. “It

States:

would

States:

be

States:

my

States:

pleasure.”

States:

He

States:

put

States:

his

States:

arm

States:

around

States:

the

States:

jackal’s shoulder

States:

and

States:

started

States:

walking

States:

with

States:

him

States:

around

States:

the

States:

edge

States:

of

States:

the

States:

yard. “If

States:

you

States:

want,

States:

I

States:

was

States:

thinking

States:

of

States:

watching

States:

a

States:

movie

States:

tomorrow

States:

night

States:

while

States:

passing

States:

out

States:

candy

States:

for

States:

trick-or-treaters.

States:

You’re

States:

welcome

States:

to

States:

join

States:

me.”
“Candy?”

States:

Anthony

States:

asked.
“You’d

States:

be

States:

surprised

States:

at

States:

the

States:

number

States:

of

States:

college

States:

kids that

States:

trick-or-treat.”

States:

Jude

States:

said.
“No

States:

way?”

States:

Anthony

States:

chuckled,

States:

rubbing

States:

his

States:

eyes

States:

on

States:

his

States:

sleeve. “Sounds

States:

like

States:

fun.

States:

If

States:

you

States:

won’t

States:

mind

States:

me

States:

there.”
“I’d

States:

be

States:

happy

States:

to

States:

have

States:

you.”

States:

They

States:

started

States:

down

States:

the

States:

direct

States:

path

States:

out,

States:

side

States:

by

States:

side.
#
The

States:

jackal

States:

sat

States:

in

States:

the

States:

passenger’s seat

States:

in

States:

a

States:

tie

States:

and

States:

nice

States:

pants

States:

staring

States:

at

States:

the

States:

door

States:

to

States:

the

States:

building.

States:

His

States:

paws

States:

were

States:

in

States:

his

States:

lap,

States:

but

States:

they

States:

shuffled

States:

constantly.
“You

States:

okay

States:

Anthony?”

States:

the

States:

dhole asked. “We

States:

can

States:

try

States:

to

States:

wait

States:

another

States:

week

States:

if

States:

you

States:

want.”
Anthony

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “No.

States:

I’ve

States:

already

States:

gone

States:

to

States:

confession.

States:

The

States:

priest

States:

talked

States:

a

States:

lot

States:

like

States:

you

States:

did.

States:

My

States:

sins

States:

have

States:

been

States:

absolved.”

States:

He

States:

took

States:

a

States:

breath. “But

States:

I’m

States:

still

States:

scared.”

States:

He

States:

rubbed

States:

the

States:

back

States:

of

States:

his

States:

neck.
“Why?”

States:

Jude

States:

set a paw

States:

on

States:

the

States:

jackal’s

States:

knee,

States:

and

States:

Anthony

States:

held

States:

it.
“It’s

States:

one

States:

thing

States:

to

States:

hear

States:

words

States:

and

States:

understand

States:

them

States:

here.”

States:

He

States:

pointed

States:

to

States:

his

States:

head. “But

States:

it’s

States:

different

States:

feeling

States:

them

States:

here.”

States:

This

States:

time,

States:

the

States:

jackal

States:

pointed

States:

to

States:

his

States:

heart.
The

States:

dhole

States:

nodded

States:

his

States:

head. “There’s

States:

another

States:

service in

States:

an

States:

hour

States:

and

States:

a

States:

half.

States:

Would

States:

you

States:

rather

States:

go

States:

to

States:

that

States:

one?”
Anthony

States:

squeezed

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

paw,

States:

closed

States:

his

States:

eyes,

States:

and

States:

took

States:

a

States:

deep

States:

breath.

States:

As

States:

the

States:

air

States:

left

States:

his

States:

lungs,

States:

he

States:

shook

States:

his

States:

head. “No,

States:

I

States:

think

States:

I’m

States:

ready.”
“You

States:

sure?”
The

States:

jackal

States:

nodded. “Yeah.

States:

Time

States:

for

States:

my

States:

first

States:

service

States:

as

States:

a

States:

gay

States:

man.”

States:

He

States:

opened

States:

the

States:

door

States:

and

States:

made

States:

his

States:

way

States:

in

States:

front

States:

of

States:

Jude’s

States:

car

States:

and

States:

the

States:

dhole

States:

met

States:

him

States:

there.
“You

States:

ready?”

States:

Jude

States:

asked.
Anthony

States:

took

States:

another

States:

breath. “Yeah.”

States:

He

States:

held

States:

the

States:

dhole’s

States:

paw

States:

and

States:

took

States:

his

States:

first

States:

steps

States:

forward.



This

States:

was

States:

the

States:

second

States:

and

States:

final

States:

part

States:

of ““Firsts”

States:

by

States:

TJ

States:

Minde,

States:

read

States:

for

States:

you by

States:

Ta’kom

States:

Ironhoof,

States:

the

States:

Equine

States:

Charmer.

As

States:

always,

States:

you

States:

can

States:

find

States:

more

States:

stories

States:

on

States:

the

States:

web

States:

at

States:

thevoice.dog,

States:

or

States:

find

States:

the

States:

show

States:

wherever

States:

you

States:

get

States:

your

States:

podcasts.

States:

Thank

States:

you

States:

for

States:

listening

States:

to

States:

The

States:

Ghost

States:

of

States:

Dog.

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About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Voice of Dog
The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

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Khaki