full

“Chase the Pride” by D.J. Fahl (part 1 of 2)

At a young red panda’s first Pride celebration he is about to meet a truly colorful group of fellow travelers.

Today’s story is the first of two parts of “Chase the Pride” by D.J. Fahl who is a long time furry and listener excited to finally offer something to this wonderful enterprise. He is the author of Save the Day, published by FurPlanet.

Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.

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/chase-the-pride-by-d-j-fahl-part-1-of-2

Transcript
Speaker:

You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

Pride

Speaker:

Month

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 Today’s

Speaker:

story is

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

first

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

two

Speaker:

parts

Speaker:

of “Chase

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Pride”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

D.J.

Speaker:

Fahl

Speaker:

who is

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

long time

Speaker:

furry

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

listener

Speaker:

excited

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

finally

Speaker:

offer

Speaker:

something

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

this

Speaker:

wonderful

Speaker:

enterprise. He

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

author

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Save

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Day,

Speaker:

published

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

FurPlanet.
It

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

easy

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

forget,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

those

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

us

Speaker:

who

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

better

Speaker:

or

Speaker:

worse

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

been

Speaker:

out

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

years,

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

every

Speaker:

Pride

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

someone’s

Speaker:

first,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

everyone

Speaker:

must

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

first

Speaker:

Pride.

Speaker:

As

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

years

Speaker:

go

Speaker:

on,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

unlearn

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

discomfort

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

who

Speaker:

were

Speaker:

are

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

once

Speaker:

we were taught, it is too easy to regard

Speaker:

Pride

Speaker:

as a

Speaker:

quality

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

have,

Speaker:

and not a

Speaker:

goal

Speaker:

we

Speaker:

once

Speaker:

had

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

strive

Speaker:

for.

Speaker:

And

Speaker:

so,

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

reminder,

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

those

Speaker:

who may need it,

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

what

Speaker:

once it

Speaker:

felt

Speaker:

like

to:



“Chase

to:

the

to:

Pride”

to:

by

to:

D.J.

to:

Fahl,

to:

part 1

to:

of 2
Chase

to:

frowned

to:

a

to:

bit

to:

as

to:

he

to:

stepped

to:

carefully

to:

around

to:

the

to:

city’s

to:

fair grounds.

to:

Asphalt

to:

and

to:

patches

to:

of

to:

grass,

to:

utterly

to:

inundated

to:

with

to:

people.

to:

The

to:

young

to:

red

to:

panda

to:

passed

to:

people

to:

and

to:

events,

to:

with

to:

bass

to:

thumping

to:

hard over

to:

the

to:

speakers.

to:

Everywhere

to:

he

to:

looked

to:

there

to:

were

people:

people:

chatting,

people:

holding

people:

hands,

people:

kissing,

people:

laughing,

people:

some

people:

were

people:

arguing, and

people:

others

people:

were

people:

just

people:

enjoying

people:

the

people:

sun. He

people:

saw

people:

a

people:

massive

people:

ursine,

people:

his

people:

muzzle

people:

meeting

people:

a

people:

lynx's:

people:

the

people:

two

people:

obvious

people:

men

people:

very

people:

openly

people:

feeling

people:

each

people:

other’s

people:

bodies.

people:

They

people:

weren’t 

people:

wearing

people:

shirts

people:

and

people:

the lynx

people:

had

people:

incredibly

people:

short

people:

pants.

people:

Was

people:

that

people:

even

people:

legal? It was

people:

such

people:

a

people:

warm

people:

day

people:

and

people:

Chase

people:

struggled

people:

not

people:

to

people:

grab

people:

his

people:

shoulders

people:

a

people:

bit

people:

defensively.
Chase

people:

St.

people:

James

people:

regretted

people:

the

people:

light

people:

grey

people:

shirt

people:

he had

people:

tossed

people:

on with his shorts.

people:

His

people:

thick

people:

lustrous

people:

fur

people:

was,

people:

as

people:

usual,

people:

giving

people:

him

people:

problems.

people:

In

people:

this

people:

summer

people:

sunlight

people:

he

people:

was

people:

already

people:

feeling

people:

too

people:

hot. His

people:

sandals

people:

pinched

people:

a

people:

bit.

people:

He

people:

considered

people:

grabbing

people:

his

people:

phone

people:

but

people:

it

people:

wasn’t

people:

like

people:

that

people:

was

people:

a

people:

riot

people:

of

people:

activity.

people:

He

people:

didn't

people:

know

people:

many

people:

people

people:

in

people:

this

people:

city

people:

during

people:

the

people:

summer.

people:

So

people:

it

people:

stayed

people:

in

people:

his

people:

pocket.
Chase

people:

wondered

people:

why

people:

had he

people:

decided

people:

to

people:

come

people:

to,

people:

well,

people:

this?

people:

He

people:

had

people:

to

people:

be

people:

crazy.

people:

This

people:

wasn't

people:

him,

people:

this

people:

wasn't

people:

his

people:

place.

people:

He

people:

should

people:

get

people:

back

people:

to

people:

his

people:

dorm

people:

room,

people:

bask in

people:

the

people:

air

people:

conditioner,

people:

and

people:

work

people:

on his

people:

summer

people:

assignments.

people:

There

people:

had

people:

been

people:

a

people:

reason

people:

he

people:

had chosen to

people:

go

people:

to

people:

summer

people:

school

people:

and

people:

it

people:

was

people:

not

people:

to

people:

go

people:

to

people:

THIS,

people:

right?

people:

The

people:

red

people:

panda

people:

wanted

people:

to

people:

hug

people:

his

people:

thick

people:

fluffy

people:

furred

people:

ringed

people:

tail.

people:

A

people:

bad

people:

childhood

people:

habit

people:

that had

people:

caused

people:

a

people:

few

people:

nicknames

people:

in

people:

grade

people:

school.

people:

He

people:

pointedly

people:

did

people:

not

people:

grab

people:

the

people:

big

people:

ringed

people:

mass.
He had

people:

come

people:

to

people:

this

people:

and,

people:

like,

people:

that

people:

meant

people:

something

people:

right?

people:

He

people:

hadn't

people:

gone

people:

to

people:

the

people:

parade,

people:

no

people:

way

people:

would

people:

he

people:

do

people:

that.

people:

That

people:

would

people:

be

people:

crazy.

people:

Chase

people:

ducked

people:

his

people:

head

people:

trying

people:

not to

people:

look

people:

at

people:

some

people:

of

people:

the

people:

people.

people:

A

people:

rat

people:

with

people:

a

people:

towering

people:

purple

people:

wig

people:

and a

people:

huge

people:

purse

people:

that

people:

matched

people:

large

people:

fake

people:

looking

people:

boobs.

people:

A

people:

meerkat

people:

with

people:

tall

people:

rubber

people:

thigh

people:

high

people:

boots

people:

and

people:

a

people:

crop top

people:

with

people:

the word’s Marsha,

people:

Marsha,

people:

Marsha

people:

on

people:

it.

people:

Who ever

people:

Marsha

people:

was.

people:

Some

people:

old

people:

looking

people:

wolf

people:

with

people:

grizzled

people:

whiskers

people:

and

people:

a

people:

shirt

people:

that

people:

read “Friend

people:

of Dorothy since 1995.” Whatever that meant.

people:

Yeah

people:

he

people:

was

people:

totally

people:

crazy

people:

for

people:

doing

people:

this

people:

today.

people:

It

people:

was

people:

too

people:

hot,

people:

too

people:

sunny,

people:

too

people:

everything.

people:

He wished he

people:

had

people:

some

people:

people

people:

with

people:

him

people:

laugh

people:

at

people:

all

people:

this

people:

crazy

people:

stuff. 
So

people:

it

people:

was

people:

to

people:

be

people:

expected

people:

that

people:

Chase,

people:

not

people:

looking

people:

where

people:

he

people:

was

people:

going,

people:

slammed

people:

into

people:

someone,

people:

almost

people:

knocking

people:

them

people:

over.
"Whoa,

people:

watch

people:

where

people:

you're

people:

going,"

people:

said an

people:

annoyed

people:

older

people:

voice.
Chase

people:

felt

people:

his

people:

entire

people:

body

people:

crackle

people:

with

people:

horror.

people:

Oh

people:

geeze,

people:

oh

people:

no,

people:

oh

people:

crap,

people:

He

people:

started

people:

to

people:

babble, "Oh,

people:

I'm so

people:

sorry are you

people:

okay?

people:

is

people:

everything

people:

cool?

people:

are

people:

you

people:

hurt?

people:

should

people:

I?"
Chase

people:

recoiled  as

people:

he

people:

looked

people:

at

people:

the

people:

man

people:

turning

people:

towards

people:

him.

people:

He

people:

should

people:

have been furiously

people:

glaring,

people:

Chase

people:

was

people:

such

people:

a

people:

little

people:

idiot

people:

sometimes

people:

and

people:

he

people:

knew

people:

it

people:

and

people:

he

people:

was

people:

so

people:

wrong

people:

to

people:

be

people:

here.
"Hey, hey

people:

no

people:

harm

people:

done,"

people:

the

people:

man

people:

said,

people:

his voice

people:

smoother

people:

and

people:

warmer, "we

people:

all

people:

make

people:

mistakes."
Chase

people:

paused

people:

his

people:

recitation

people:

of

people:

apologies

people:

and

people:

took

people:

the

people:

sight

people:

in

people:

before

people:

him.

people:

A

people:

shirtless

people:

guy

people:

wearing

people:

aviator

people:

sunglasses

people:

and

people:

denim

people:

jeans. A

people:

slight

people:

belly,

people:

strong

people:

looking

people:

arms,

people:

fit

people:

but

people:

older. The

people:

man

people:

smiled

people:

and

people:

his

people:

button

people:

black

people:

nose

people:

twitched.

people:

Red

people:

and

people:

brown

people:

fur,

people:

thick

people:

creamy

people:

white

people:

mask

people:

and

people:

belly.

people:

A

people:

very

people:

familiar

people:

big

people:

thick

people:

furred

people:

tail.

people:

Another

people:

Red

people:

Panda.

people:

He

people:

didn't

people:

know

people:

many

people:

red

people:

pandas

people:

anywhere.

people:

He

people:

had

people:

been

people:

the

people:

only

people:

one

people:

he

people:

knew

people:

in

people:

his

people:

suburban

people:

town.
The

people:

older

people:

man

people:

smiled

people:

at

people:

him

people:

and

people:

his

people:

thick

people:

voluminous

people:

tail

people:

twitched.

people:

He had

people:

clearly

people:

put

people:

some

people:

dye

people:

on

people:

it

people:

to

people:

change

people:

the

people:

stripes

people:

to

people:

blue,

people:

pink,

people:

and

people:

white.

people:

It

people:

looked

people:

good

people:

on

people:

him

people:

and

people:

Chase

people:

realized

people:

he

people:

was

people:

staring

people:

at

people:

the

people:

guy

people:

and

people:

felt

people:

his

people:

ears

people:

flick

people:

back

people:

in embarrassment, "Well

people:

knock me to

people:

the ground,

people:

you're

people:

a

people:

red

people:

panda."
Chase

people:

blurted

people:

out, "So are

people:

you,

people:

and

people:

I

people:

almost

people:

did."
The

people:

guy

people:

laughed

people:

so

people:

warm

people:

and

people:

joyous

people:

that

people:

Chase

people:

had to

people:

giggle a bit too.

people:

It

people:

was

people:

a

people:

silly

people:

thing

people:

to

people:

say,

people:

but

people:

it

people:

felt

people:

good

people:

to

people:

just

people:

laugh

people:

a

people:

bit.

people:

The

people:

man

people:

said, "Guess

people:

we're

people:

just

people:

saying

people:

obvious

people:

things.

people:

Sorry

people:

about

people:

that.

people:

Name's

people:

Vic.

people:

You?"
"Chase." 
"Nice

people:

to

people:

meet

people:

you

people:

Chase.

people:

I

people:

thought

people:

I

people:

knew

people:

all

people:

the

people:

pandas

people:

in

people:

our

people:

community,"

people:

said

people:

Vic
Our

people:

community?

people:

Well

people:

there

people:

was

people:

a

people:

big

people:

Asian

people:

American

people:

community

people:

in

people:

town

people:

you

people:

wouldn’t

people:

know

people:

everyone.

people:

That

people:

was

people:

why

people:

Chase had

people:

moved

people:

here

people:

to

people:

go

people:

to

people:

college. "Well

people:

there

people:

are

people:

a

people:

lot

people:

of

people:

people

people:

around

people:

town so uh."
Vic

people:

chuckled, "I

people:

meant

people:

our

people:

community,"

people:

he

people:

gestured

people:

around

people:

at

people:

the

people:

event

people:

going

people:

on.

people:

Chase

people:

felt

people:

his

people:

ears

people:

flick

people:

back.
Our

people:

community.

people:

Not

people:

his

people:

Community.

people:

Not

people:

this

people:

handsome

people:

older

people:

guy's

people:

community.

people:

Our

people:

Community.

people:

Oh,

people:

Geeze

people:

Vic

people:

thought

people:

Chase

people:

was

people:

in

people:

this

people:

community,

people:

but

people:

Chase knew he

people:

wasn't,

people:

he

people:

was

people:

just here

people:

looking

people:

around.

people:

He

people:

should

people:

correct

people:

him

people:

but

people:

instead

people:

Chase

people:

said, "I,

people:

uh,

people:

only

people:

moved

people:

here

people:

recently."
"Well,"

people:

the

people:

older

people:

panda

people:

brightened

people:

and flicked

people:

that

people:

bushy

people:

tail. Not kinked or drawn close like Chase's. "Maybe

people:

you'd

people:

like

people:

to

people:

meet

people:

some

people:

folks?

people:

We're

people:

actually

people:

doing

people:

a

people:

little

people:

gathering

people:

for

people:

poof

people:

tails

people:

like

people:

us.”
Vic

people:

took

people:

his

people:

hand

people:

and

people:

they

people:

walked

people:

quickly through

people:

the

people:

crowd.

people:

Following

people:

that

people:

thick

people:

pink

people:

and

people:

blue

people:

tail,

people:

walking with

people:

this

people:

older

people:

guy

people:

so

people:

confident and

people:

magnetic,

people:

Chase

people:

felt

people:

a

people:

thrill

people:

down

people:

his

people:

spine.

people:

A He'd

people:

correct

people:

Vic

people:

later.

people:

Maybe

people:

it

people:

would

people:

be

people:

nice

people:

to

people:

meet

people:

some

people:

other

people:

red

people:

pandas.

people:

Even

people:

with

people:

the

people:

big

people:

asian

people:

community

people:

in

people:

town

people:

he

people:

only

people:

knew

people:

of

people:

a

people:

few

people:

on

people:

campus

people:

had

people:

he

people:

hadn’t

people:

been

people:

sure

people:

how

people:

to

people:

even

people:

begin

people:

talking

people:

to

people:

them.
Vic

people:

had

people:

a

people:

bit

people:

of a

people:

stride

people:

and

people:

Chase

people:

once

people:

or

people:

twice

people:

tightened

people:

his

people:

grip.

people:

These

people:

tight

people:

clumps

people:

of

people:

people

people:

should

people:

have

people:

made

people:

him

people:

want

people:

to

people:

curl

people:

up. 

people:

A

people:

booth

people:

for

people:

some

people:

group,

people:

another

people:

booth

people:

with

people:

various

people:

wrist bands

people:

and

people:

shirts,

people:

another

people:

booth with some

people:

political

people:

messages

people:

he

people:

didn’t

people:

follow

people:

very

people:

well.

people:

another

people:

booth

people:

like

people:

the

people:

one

people:

that

people:

had

people:

been

people:

at

people:

his

people:

college

people:

for

people:

signing

people:

people up

people:

for

people:

credit

people:

cards.

people:

Why

people:

was

people:

that

people:

last

people:

one

people:

at

people:

the

people:

event?

people:

He

people:

passed

people:

more

people:

people

people:

touching,

people:

hugging,

people:

kissing,

people:

cuddling.

people:

He

people:

passed

people:

by

people:

two

people:

guys

people:

holding

people:

hands,

people:

one

people:

had

people:

a

people:

back pack

people:

harness

people:

clearly

people:

for

people:

the

people:

toddler

people:

they

people:

were

people:

watching

people:

over.

people:

An

people:

older

people:

woman

people:

bovine

people:

with

people:

black

people:

clothing

people:

and

people:

thick

people:

makeup

people:

that

people:

looked

people:

sweltering

people:

in

people:

this

people:

summer

people:

heat

people:

was

people:

chatting

people:

adamantly

people:

with

people:

a

people:

svelte

people:

chipmunk

people:

with

people:

a

people:

very

people:

short

people:

haircut.

people:

A

people:

very

people:

large

people:

muscled

people:

pitbull

people:

in

people:

some

people:

sort

people:

of

people:

harness

people:

sauntered

people:

by.
Vic

people:

spoke

people:

and

people:

Chase

people:

realized

people:

they had

people:

paused.

people:

The

people:

older

people:

panda

people:

looked

people:

at

people:

him, “First

people:

time

people:

at

people:

Pride?”
Chase

people:

felt his ears flick back and his tail

people:

curl

people:

closer

people:

again

people:

and

people:

Vic

people:

said

people:

amiably, “You

people:

know

people:

its

people:

okay?

people:

We

people:

all

people:

have

people:

our

people:

first

people:

time.”
Chase

people:

looked

people:

at

people:

him

people:

wanly, “Is it that

people:

obvious?”
“You’re

people:

staring

people:

a

people:

bit,”

people:

Vic

people:

chuckled

people:

and

people:

seeing

people:

Chase’s

people:

face

people:

he

people:

added

people:

quickly, “Do

people:

you

people:

want to

people:

just,

people:

uh,

people:

meet

people:

me

people:

at

people:

the

people:

picnic?

people:

That’s

people:

okay

people:

too

people:

if

people:

you

people:

want

people:

to

people:

keep

people:

exploring.”
 
“No,”

people:

Chase

people:

said

people:

fervently

people:

and

people:

winced

people:

at

people:

how

people:

quickly

people:

and

people:

firmly

people:

he had

people:

said

people:

it.

people:

His

people:

tail

people:

bushed

people:

out

people:

but

people:

he

people:

held

people:

onto

people:

the

people:

panda’s

people:

hand.

people:

He’d

people:

never

people:

go

people:

to

people:

that

people:

picnic

people:

if Vic

people:

didn’t

people:

take

people:

him,

people:

and

people:

he

people:

didn’t

people:

want Vic

people:

to

people:

let

people:

go

people:

just

people:

yet.

people:

They’d

people:

part,

people:

of

people:

course

people:

they’d

people:

let

people:

go,

people:

but

people:

not

people:

yet.
Vic

people:

adjusted

people:

his

people:

sunglasses

people:

and

people:

chuckled.

people:

He

people:

wasn’t

people:

a

people:

tall

people:

guy

people:

more

people:

around

people:

Chase’s

people:

smaller

people:

height..

people:

Chase had

people:

always

people:

felt

people:

like

people:

such a

people:

tiny

people:

guy.

people:

He remembered

people:

in

people:

school

people:

people

people:

joking

people:

about

people:

that

people:

fact.

people:

Vic

people:

looked

people:

him

people:

over

people:

resting a

people:

hand

people:

on

people:

his

people:

shoulder.

people:

Yet

people:

he

people:

just

people:

looked

people:

taller,

people:

more

people:

confident.

people:

Chase

people:

looked

people:

back

people:

at

people:

his

people:

scruffy

people:

furry

people:

face

people:

with

people:

traces

people:

of

people:

grey,

people:

the

people:

strange

people:

magnetism

people:

of

people:

the

people:

man.

people:

He

people:

could

people:

almost

people:

feel

people:

his

people:

breath

people:

and Vic

people:

said, “Well

people:

let’s

people:

take

people:

our

people:

time.”
“Why

people:

are

people:

you

people:

being

people:

so

people:

nice

people:

to

people:

me?

people:

I

people:

nearly

people:

knocked

people:

you

people:

over.”

people:

Chase

people:

asked.
Vic

people:

wiggled

people:

his

people:

nose

people:

and

people:

his

people:

tail

people:

lazily

people:

swayed, “In

people:

this

people:

big

people:

world

people:

I

people:

choose

people:

to

people:

be

people:

nice

people:

when

people:

I

people:

can.

people:

Like,

people:

being

people:

angry

people:

and

people:

mean

people:

is

people:

a

people:

choice

people:

and

people:

sometimes

people:

it

people:

makes

people:

sense

people:

but,”

people:

Vic

people:

looked

people:

Chase

people:

over

people:

again

people:

appraisingly

people:

and

people:

chuckled

people:

that

people:

warm

people:

laugh, “why

people:

not

people:

be

people:

nice

people:

to

people:

you? I

people:

have

people:

to

people:

wonder

people:

why

people:

you

people:

want

people:

to

people:

walk

people:

around with

people:

an

people:

old

people:

dried up

people:

guy

people:

like

people:

me at

people:

your

people:

first

people:

Pride.”
Chase

people:

looked

people:

at

people:

the

people:

panda

people:

and

people:

said

people:

firmly, “You’re

people:

not

people:

dried

people:

up.”
Vic

people:

shook

people:

his

people:

head, “Alright

people:

fair

people:

enough.

people:

I

people:

admit

people:

my

people:

first

people:

Pride

people:

I

people:

had

people:

Charlie

people:

and

people:

some

people:

others

people:

with

people:

me.”
“I,

people:

uh,

people:

came

people:

by

people:

myself,”

people:

Chase shrugged

people:

still

people:

holding

people:

Vic’shand.

people:

He

people:

wondered

people:

who

people:

Charlie

people:

was and if

people:

this

people:

guy

people:

had,

people:

like,

people:

a

people:

boyfriend

people:

and

people:

stuff.

people:

Not

people:

that

people:

he

people:

had

people:

wanted

people:

anything

people:

to

people:

happen,

people:

but

people:

he

people:

didn’t

people:

want

people:

to

people:

upset

people:

anyone either right?
“Well,”

people:

Vic rested

people:

an

people:

arm

people:

around

people:

Chase

people:

and

people:

patted

people:

his

people:

shoulder

people:

bringing

people:

him

people:

in

people:

for

people:

a

people:

one

people:

arm

people:

hug.

people:

he

people:

stuck

people:

out

people:

his

people:

other

people:

arm

people:

and

people:

gestured

people:

expansively, “I

people:

guess

people:

I’ll

people:

be

people:

your

people:

guide

people:

for

people:

Pride

people:

if

people:

you’d

people:

like.”
“You

people:

don’t

people:

have

people:

to,”

people:

Chase

people:

tried

people:

to

people:

be

people:

polite, “I

people:

mean

people:

I

people:

know

people:

I

people:

can

people:

be,

people:

like, um,

people:

a

people:

bit

people:

of

people:

a

people:

barnacle.”
Vic

people:

frowned

people:

and

people:

said, “Well

people:

that

people:

tells

people:

me

people:

I

people:

need

people:

to

people:

do

people:

it.”
He

people:

didn’t

people:

explain

people:

further

people:

but

people:

he

people:

kept

people:

his

people:

arm

people:

on

people:

Chase

people:

as

people:

they

people:

slowly

people:

walked. 
Chase

people:

settled

people:

into

people:

the

people:

crook

people:

of

people:

Vic’s

people:

arm.

people:

Feeling

people:

the

people:

warmth

people:

of

people:

the

people:

body,

people:

Vic’s

people:

plush

people:

fur

people:

against

people:

his

people:

own.Even

people:

when

people:

he

people:

had

people:

gotten

people:

to

people:

college

people:

and

people:

joined

people:

the

people:

AAPI

people:

group

people:

on

people:

campus and

people:

met

people:

the

people:

few

people:

other

people:

red

people:

pandas

people:

on

people:

campus

people:

he had

people:

never

people:

been

people:

this

people:

close.

people:

Chase

people:

felt

people:

his

people:

own

people:

heart beat

people:

thumping

people:

as

people:

he

people:

tentatively

people:

wrapped

people:

his

people:

own

people:

arm

people:

around

people:

Vic’s soft

people:

middle.

people:

Honestly,

people:

he had

people:

never

people:

been

people:

this

people:

close

people:

to

people:

anyone.

people:

He had never

people:

really

people:

cuddled

people:

up

people:

with

people:

anyone

people:

or

people:

felt

people:

them

people:

like

people:

this,.

people:

The

people:

day

people:

should

people:

have

people:

felt

people:

stifling

people:

in

people:

its

people:

heat,

people:

but

people:

despite

people:

the

people:

warmth

people:

of

people:

another

people:

body

people:

and

people:

pelt

people:

it

people:

felt

people:

nice.

people:

He

people:

wanted

people:

to

people:

close

people:

his

people:

eyes

people:

and

people:

just

people:

walk,

people:

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people:

heart

people:

pounding.
Oh,

people:

goodness,

people:

he

people:

really

people:

wasn’t

people:

sure

people:

he

people:

wanted

people:

to

people:

think

people:

about

people:

that

people:

too

people:

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people:

so

people:

said, “where

people:

are

people:

we

people:

going?”
“Oh, still

people:

the

people:

picnic.

people:

We

people:

only

people:

just

people:

met

people:

and

people:

there is

people:

a

people:

lot

people:

going

people:

on

people:

around

people:

here,”

people:

Vic

people:

said..

people:

Chase

people:

noticed

people:

several

people:

people

people:

looking

people:

at

people:

him

people:

and

people:

he

people:

shrank

people:

against

people:

Vic

people:

even

people:

though

people:

a

people:

lot

people:

of

people:

them

people:

smiled.

people:

This

people:

close

people:

to

people:

Vic,

people:

Chase

people:

could

people:

see

people:

the

people:

spacers

people:

in

people:

his

people:

ears 

people:

and

people:

the

people:

shaggy

people:

bushiness

people:

of

people:

his

people:

muzzle

people:

fur.

people:

Those

people:

age

people:

lines

people:

and

people:

peppering

people:

of

people:

grey

people:

gave him

people:

such

people:

a

people:

different

people:

look

people:

from

people:

the

people:

people

people:

he

people:

knew

people:

on

people:

campus..

people:

Chase

people:

tried

people:

not

people:

to

people:

break

people:

the

people:

feeling

people:

of

people:

this

people:

intimate

people:

hug

people:

despite

people:

the

people:

looks.

people:

The

people:

red

people:

panda

people:

with

people:

the

people:

blue

people:

and

people:

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people:

tail

people:

continued

people:

after

people:

a

people:

moment

people:

filling

people:

the

people:

quiet, “I

people:

figure

people:

a

people:

little

people:

lunch,

people:

meeting

people:

some

people:

other

people:

poof

people:

tails,

people:

and

people:

we

people:

can

people:

look

people:

at

people:

an

people:

event

people:

book.”
“Event

people:

book?”

people:

Chase said in

people:

surprise
“Well

people:

sure.

people:

I

people:

mean

people:

Pride

people:

isn’t

people:

just a

people:

parade,

people:

there are

people:

parties,

people:

shows,

people:

political

people:

events,

people:

dances,

people:

music.,”

people:

said

people:

Vic

people:

and

people:

he

people:

looked

people:

at

people:

Chase, “you

people:

knew

people:

about

people:

that

people:

right?”
“Um,”

people:

Chase

people:

felt

people:

his

people:

ears

people:

flick

people:

back

people:

again.
“Oh,”

people:

Vic

people:

said

people:

and

people:

he

people:

hugged

people:

Chase to

people:

him

people:

again, “yeah,

people:

now

people:

I

people:

need

people:

to

people:

make

people:

sure

people:

you

people:

have

people:

a

people:

great

people:

Pride.”
Chase

people:

stopped

people:

himself

people:

from

people:

blurting

people:

out ‘it

people:

was

people:

already

people:

a

people:

nice

people:

time,’

people:

one

people:

of

people:

those

people:

stupid

people:

emotional

people:

embarrassing

people:

things.

people:

Instead

people:

he

people:

said, “what’s

people:

the

people:

celebration

people:

for?”
“It is for

people:

us,”

people:

Vic said

people:

with a

people:

joking

people:

grin.

people:

When

people:

the

people:

younger

people:

panda

people:

seemed

people:

to

people:

slouch at

people:

that

people:

he

people:

added, “or

people:

at

people:

least

people:

its

people:

about

people:

all

people:

us LGBTQ+ folks. For

people:

all

people:

of

people:

us

people:

to

people:

say

people:

we

people:

are

people:

here,

people:

who

people:

we

people:

are

people:

makes

people:

us

people:

happy,

people:

we’re

people:

honest

people:

and

people:

open,

people:

and

people:

that’s

people:

enough.”
Chase

people:

pulled

people:

back

people:

at

people:

once

people:

realizing

people:

how

people:

embarrassing

people:

that

people:

was,

people:

how

people:

stupid

people:

that

people:

was,

people:

Vic

people:

probably

people:

thought

people:

he was a

people:

loser.

people:

Instead Vic

people:

said, “cornball

people:

I

people:

guess

people:

but

people:

I

people:

do

people:

believe

people:

it,

people:

and

people:

seeing

people:

you

people:

smile

people:

is

people:

nice,

people:

Chase.”
Chase

people:

realized

people:

he

people:

was

people:

smiling.

people:

He

people:

wasn’t

people:

sure

people:

why,

people:

but

people:

Vic

people:

wanted

people:

to

people:

see

people:

him

people:

smile?

people:

And

people:

suddenly

people:

he

people:

couldn’t

people:

stop.
they

people:

turned

people:

away

people:

from

people:

the

people:

booths.

people:

Chase saw

people:

grills

people:

and

people:

picnic

people:

benches.

people:

Everywhere

people:

were

people:

blankets,

people:

folding

people:

chairs,

people:

even

people:

more

people:

people

people:

enjoying

people:

the

people:

summer

people:

day.

people:

the

people:

air

people:

was

people:

filled

people:

with

people:

the

people:

smells

people:

of

people:

cooking

people:

and

people:

Chase’s

people:

ears

people:

were

people:

filled with

people:

the

people:

sounds

people:

of

people:

chatter,

people:

crackles

people:

of

people:

containers

people:

being

people:

opened,

people:

and

people:

personal

people:

speakers

people:

played

people:

music

people:

for

people:

different

people:

groups.

people:

Under

people:

a

people:

massive

people:

broad

people:

leafed

people:

tree

people:

a grill

people:

was

people:

set

people:

up

people:

and

people:

Chase

people:

saw

people:

two

people:

red furred

people:

figures

people:

that

people:

seemed

people:

so

people:

eerily

people:

familiar

people:

yet

people:

different

people:

talking

people:

animatedly

people:

over

people:

it.
“I

people:

tell

people:

you,

people:

you’re

people:

keeping

people:

it

people:

on

people:

too

people:

long.”

people:

Said

people:

A

people:

deep

people:

smooth

people:

voice

people:

of

people:

a

people:

shockingly

people:

tall

people:

and

people:

broad shouldered

people:

red

people:

panda.

people:

He

people:

looked

people:

like

people:

a

people:

body builder.

people:

Chase had never even

people:

thought

people:

he’d

people:

see

people:

a

people:

red

people:

panda

people:

looking

people:

that

people:

ripped.

people:

He

people:

had

people:

for

people:

some

people:

reason

people:

dyed

people:

his

people:

tail

people:

in

people:

band

people:

of

people:

green,

people:

black

people:

and

people:

white. 
“I’m

people:

just

people:

following

people:

the

people:

directions

people:

Andy,”

people:

said

people:

another

people:

more

people:

light

people:

and

people:

squeaky

people:

voice.

people:

This

people:

belonged

people:

to

people:

a

people:

chubby,

people:

actually

people:

very

people:

tubby

people:

red

people:

panda.

people:

His

people:

tail

people:

was

people:

just

people:

three

bands:

bands:

blue,

bands:

purple, and

bands:

magenta.
“Yeah but

bands:

Terry, they

bands:

look

bands:

done,”

bands:

said

bands:

the

bands:

muscled

bands:

fellow

bands:

called

bands:

Andy.
“Jenny,

bands:

why

bands:

did

bands:

we

bands:

let

bands:

those

bands:

two

bands:

take

bands:

over

bands:

the

bands:

grilling?”

bands:

asked a

bands:

woman

bands:

with

bands:

a

bands:

stately

bands:

accent.

bands:

One

bands:

of

bands:

those

bands:

people

bands:

who

bands:

knew

bands:

what

bands:

the

bands:

word

bands:

elocution

bands:

meant. 
Chase

bands:

separated

bands:

from

bands:

Vic’s

bands:

one

bands:

armed

bands:

hug

bands:

as

bands:

he

bands:

looked

bands:

to

bands:

see

bands:

two

bands:

women

bands:

standing

bands:

back

bands:

from

bands:

the

bands:

grill

bands:

both

bands:

holding

bands:

beer

bands:

cans.

bands:

The two

bands:

female

bands:

red

bands:

pandas,

bands:

both

bands:

wore

bands:

glasses

bands:

and

bands:

skirts

bands:

with

bands:

tops

bands:

that

bands:

exposed

bands:

their

bands:

middles.

bands:

That

bands:

was

bands:

all

bands:

the had in common

bands:

physically.
“Because

bands:

neither

bands:

of

bands:

us

bands:

wanted

bands:

to

bands:

do

bands:

it

bands:

Pam,”

bands:

said 

bands:

woman

bands:

with

bands:

a

bands:

black

bands:

tipped

bands:

tail

bands:

followed

bands:

by

bands:

grey,

bands:

white.

bands:

and

bands:

purple

bands:

had

bands:

a

bands:

distinctly

bands:

pear

bands:

shaped

bands:

body

bands:

with

bands:

wide

bands:

hips and

bands:

rounded

bands:

sides.

bands:

Her

bands:

hair

bands:

was

bands:

long

bands:

and

bands:

flowed

bands:

loosely

bands:

around down

bands:

to

bands:

her

bands:

waist.

bands:

Her outfit

bands:

was

bands:

paisley

bands:

in

bands:

subdued

bands:

colors that

bands:

contrasted

bands:

with

bands:

the

bands:

reddish hue

bands:

of

bands:

her

bands:

fur.
The

bands:

one

bands:

called

bands:

Pam’s

bands:

tail

bands:

had

bands:

only

bands:

three

stripes:

stripes:

bright

stripes:

robin

stripes:

blue

stripes:

at

stripes:

the

stripes:

tip

stripes:

then

stripes:

yellow

stripes:

then

stripes:

hot

stripes:

pink.

stripes:

She had

stripes:

a

stripes:

huger

stripes:

and

stripes:

bushier

stripes:

tail

stripes:

than

stripes:

any

stripes:

red

stripes:

panda

stripes:

Chase had

stripes:

met.

stripes:

Clearly

stripes:

she

stripes:

got

stripes:

it

stripes:

permed.

stripes:

She

stripes:

was

stripes:

tall,

stripes:

what

stripes:

Chase’s

stripes:

mom

stripes:

would

stripes:

have

stripes:

called

statuesque:

statuesque:

Strong

statuesque:

hips, a

statuesque:

confident

statuesque:

stance.

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

hair

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

clearly

statuesque:

styled

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

brushed

statuesque:

unlike

statuesque:

Jess’

statuesque:

wild

statuesque:

mane.

statuesque:

Everything

statuesque:

about

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

exuded

statuesque:

firm

statuesque:

confidence,

statuesque:

an

statuesque:

eye

statuesque:

for

statuesque:

style,

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

refinement.

statuesque:

Her

statuesque:

skirt,

statuesque:

maybe

statuesque:

it

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

sarong?

statuesque:

And

statuesque:

top

statuesque:

were

statuesque:

more

statuesque:

floral

statuesque:

patterned

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

hibiscus

statuesque:

flowers.in

statuesque:

yellows

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

pinks

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

darker

statuesque:

indigo

statuesque:

blue.

statuesque:

She

statuesque:

smirked, “great

statuesque:

point.

statuesque:

I

statuesque:

brought

statuesque:

drinks

statuesque:

after

statuesque:

all.”
Vic

statuesque:

had

statuesque:

sauntered

statuesque:

over

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

join

statuesque:

them.

statuesque:

Vic

statuesque:

said, “I

statuesque:

thought

statuesque:

we

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

agreed

statuesque:

Blair

statuesque:

would

statuesque:

handle

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

grilling

statuesque:

with 

statuesque:

Georgie

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

Penny

statuesque:

helping.

statuesque:

And

statuesque:

if

statuesque:

they

statuesque:

couldn’t

statuesque:

do

statuesque:

it

statuesque:

Charlie

statuesque:

would

statuesque:

do

statuesque:

it.”
“Georgie

statuesque:

messaged to

statuesque:

say

statuesque:

their

statuesque:

planning

statuesque:

workshop

statuesque:

thing was

statuesque:

running

statuesque:

late and

statuesque:

you

statuesque:

know

statuesque:

Penny

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

Blair,”

statuesque:

Jess’s

statuesque:

black

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

purple

statuesque:

tail

statuesque:

twitched

statuesque:

dismissively, “Ralph

statuesque:

offered

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

do

statuesque:

it

statuesque:

but.”
Vic

statuesque:

cut

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

off

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

theatrical

statuesque:

gasp, “after

statuesque:

last

statuesque:

year?”
“That

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

my

statuesque:

point,”

statuesque:

Pam

statuesque:

said

statuesque:

an

statuesque:

amused

statuesque:

look

statuesque:

on

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

muzzle

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

she

statuesque:

flounced

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

perfect

statuesque:

hair, “Charlie

statuesque:

helped

statuesque:

set

statuesque:

up

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

grill

statuesque:

but

statuesque:

said

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

had

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

meet

statuesque:

up

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

wanted

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

do.

statuesque:

That

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

before

statuesque:

Georgie

statuesque:

messaged.”
“At

statuesque:

which

statuesque:

point

statuesque:

it

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

us

statuesque:

or

statuesque:

them,”

statuesque:

Jess

statuesque:

motioned

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

smile, “Pam

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

I

statuesque:

decided

statuesque:

we’d

statuesque:

rather

statuesque:

have

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

beer

statuesque:

then

statuesque:

cook.”
“Can’t

statuesque:

blame

statuesque:

you,”

statuesque:

Vic

statuesque:

chuckled, “but

statuesque:

Terry

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

Andy?”
Pamela

statuesque:

made

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

dignified

statuesque:

snort, “Terry

statuesque:

pulled

statuesque:

out

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

phone

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

claimed

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

needed

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

internet.”
“Which

statuesque:

is

statuesque:

when

statuesque:

Andy

statuesque:

went

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

help,”

statuesque:

Vic

statuesque:

nodded

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

head

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

if

statuesque:

this

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

made

statuesque:

perfect

statuesque:

sense.

statuesque:

Chase’s

statuesque:

head

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

spinning

statuesque:

from

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

names.

statuesque:

He

statuesque:

wondered

statuesque:

if

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

should

statuesque:

slip

statuesque:

away.

statuesque:

He

statuesque:

had

statuesque:

already

statuesque:

nuzzled

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

guy

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

public

statuesque:

that

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

crazy

statuesque:

enough.
“Okay

statuesque:

I

statuesque:

think

statuesque:

we

statuesque:

got

statuesque:

it,”declared

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

fatter

statuesque:

panda

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

magenta,

statuesque:

purple,

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

blue

statuesque:

tail, “the

statuesque:

internet

statuesque:

saves

statuesque:

us

statuesque:

again.”
“Let’s

statuesque:

see

statuesque:

what

statuesque:

everyone

statuesque:

thinks

statuesque:

before

statuesque:

we

statuesque:

declare

statuesque:

victory

statuesque:

Terry,”

statuesque:

said

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

large

statuesque:

guy

statuesque:

named

statuesque:

Andy.
“So,

statuesque:

who

statuesque:

are

statuesque:

you?”

statuesque:

Chase

statuesque:

almost

statuesque:

jumped

statuesque:

realizing

statuesque:

he had

statuesque:

been

statuesque:

noticed.

statuesque:

Chase

statuesque:

felt

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

urge

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

run

statuesque:

for

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

tree

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

eyes

statuesque:

turned

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

him.

statuesque:

The

statuesque:

kindly

statuesque:

smile

statuesque:

of

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

woman

statuesque:

named

statuesque:

Jess

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

yellow,

statuesque:

purple,

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

black

statuesque:

did

statuesque:

little

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

calm

statuesque:

him.
Vic

statuesque:

winced, “oh

statuesque:

sorry,

statuesque:

bad

statuesque:

manners.

statuesque:

Everyone

statuesque:

this

statuesque:

is

statuesque:

Chase.

statuesque:

We

statuesque:

met

statuesque:

over

statuesque:

by

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

booths,”

statuesque:

Chase

statuesque:

smiled

statuesque:

weakly

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

waved

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

bit

statuesque:

glad

statuesque:

Vic

statuesque:

hadn’t

statuesque:

gone

statuesque:

into

statuesque:

details.

statuesque:

Vic

statuesque:

continued

statuesque:

adjusting his

statuesque:

sunglasses, “He’s

statuesque:

new

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

town.

statuesque:

I

statuesque:

thought

statuesque:

for

statuesque:

obvious

statuesque:

reasons

statuesque:

I’d

statuesque:

bring

statuesque:

him

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

meet

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

group.”
“Sly old

statuesque:

so

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

so,”

statuesque:

Pam

statuesque:

gently

statuesque:

punched

statuesque:

Vic’s

statuesque:

shoulder.
Terry

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

chubby

statuesque:

panda

statuesque:

rushed

statuesque:

over

statuesque:

extending

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

furry

statuesque:

hand, “Hello,

statuesque:

I’m

statuesque:

Terry

statuesque:

Takamura.

statuesque:

Its

statuesque:

so

statuesque:

awesome to meet

statuesque:

another

statuesque:

red

statuesque:

panda

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

town.

statuesque:

The

statuesque:

guy

statuesque:

holding the

statuesque:

shrimp,

statuesque:

who

statuesque:

isn’t

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

shrimp,

statuesque:

is

statuesque:

Andy

statuesque:

Lai

statuesque:

my

statuesque:

best

statuesque:

friend

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

housemate.”
Andy

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

large

statuesque:

panda

statuesque:

easily

statuesque:

balanced

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

massive

statuesque:

tray

statuesque:

of

statuesque:

kabobs

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

grilled

statuesque:

shrimp,

statuesque:

peppers,

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

onions

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

well

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

cobs of 

statuesque:

grilled

statuesque:

corn

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

one

statuesque:

big hand.

statuesque:

Chase

statuesque:

felt his

statuesque:

smaller

statuesque:

hand

statuesque:

utterly

statuesque:

dwarfed

statuesque:

by

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

other’s strong

statuesque:

fingers

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

palm

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

heart

statuesque:

raced a

statuesque:

bit

statuesque:

as

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

tried

statuesque:

not

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

let

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

tail

statuesque:

puff

statuesque:

out. Andy, “good

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

meet

statuesque:

you.

statuesque:

I

statuesque:

better

statuesque:

put

statuesque:

this

statuesque:

down,

statuesque:

we

statuesque:

have

statuesque:

chicken

statuesque:

wings

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

cook.”
“You

statuesque:

didn’t

statuesque:

do

statuesque:

those

statuesque:

first?”

statuesque:

asked

statuesque:

Pam

statuesque:

sipping

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

beer.
“We

statuesque:

didn’t

statuesque:

want

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

wreck

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

wings by

statuesque:

making

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

mistake,”

statuesque:

Terry

statuesque:

said

statuesque:

walking

statuesque:

over

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

grill,

statuesque:

tail

statuesque:

twitching

statuesque:

agitatedly.
“But

statuesque:

Charlie’s

statuesque:

chili

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

lemon

statuesque:

shrimp

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

okay

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

risk?”

statuesque:

asked Vic

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

an

statuesque:

amused

statuesque:

smirk.
“Yes,”

statuesque:

Terry

statuesque:

called

statuesque:

from

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

grill, “If

statuesque:

Charlie

statuesque:

wanted

statuesque:

his

statuesque:

shrimp

statuesque:

done

statuesque:

right

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

could

statuesque:

have

statuesque:

skipped

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

mixer

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

not

statuesque:

been

statuesque:

so

statuesque:

horny.”
“Well

statuesque:

at

statuesque:

least

statuesque:

your

statuesque:

shallot

statuesque:

butter

statuesque:

corn

statuesque:

looks

statuesque:

like

statuesque:

it

statuesque:

survived,

statuesque:

Vic,” said Jess

statuesque:

gently, “surprised

statuesque:

you’re

statuesque:

not

statuesque:

helping.”
Vic

statuesque:

snorted

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

amusement, “I’m

statuesque:

not

statuesque:

that

statuesque:

good

statuesque:

at

statuesque:

grilling

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

they

statuesque:

want

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

learn,

statuesque:

besides

statuesque:

they’re

statuesque:

just

statuesque:

grilling

statuesque:

chicken

statuesque:

wings if

statuesque:

they

statuesque:

burn

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

few

statuesque:

is

statuesque:

that

statuesque:

so

statuesque:

bad?”
A gout of flame

statuesque:

rose

statuesque:

from

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

grill.

statuesque:

Andy

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

Terry

statuesque:

hopped

statuesque:

back.

statuesque:

Vic hummed

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

moment

statuesque:

of

statuesque:

consternation

statuesque:

but

statuesque:

before

statuesque:

he

statuesque:

could

statuesque:

say

statuesque:

anything

statuesque:

else a

statuesque:

young

statuesque:

woman

statuesque:

interrupted, “Rejoice

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

cavalry

statuesque:

has

statuesque:

arrived!”
Chase

statuesque:

looked

statuesque:

over

statuesque:

three

statuesque:

more

statuesque:

red

statuesque:

panda

statuesque:

women

statuesque:

arrived

statuesque:

carrying

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

few

statuesque:

boxes.

statuesque:

Clearly

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

younger

statuesque:

than

statuesque:

Pam

statuesque:

or

statuesque:

Jenny. 

statuesque:

A

statuesque:

young

statuesque:

lady

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

a

statuesque:

short

statuesque:

crew

statuesque:

cut

statuesque:

smirked

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

tail a

statuesque:

gradient

statuesque:

of

statuesque:

orange

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

pink

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

white

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

middle.

statuesque:

What

statuesque:

was

statuesque:

up

statuesque:

with

statuesque:

all

statuesque:

these

statuesque:

colored

statuesque:

tails? was

statuesque:

this

statuesque:

some

statuesque:

new

statuesque:

fashion

statuesque:

Chase had

statuesque:

utterly

statuesque:

missed

statuesque:

out

statuesque:

on

statuesque:

again?
The

statuesque:

crew

statuesque:

cut

statuesque:

girl

statuesque:

in

statuesque:

her

statuesque:

tank

statuesque:

top

statuesque:

and

statuesque:

camo pants

statuesque:

shorts

statuesque:

smirked, “we

statuesque:

brought

statuesque:

the

statuesque:

key

statuesque:

to

statuesque:

this

meal:

meal:

spring

meal:

rolls.

meal:

Georgie

meal:

even

meal:

made

meal:

some

meal:

Chả giò.”
Chase had

meal:

no

meal:

idea

meal:

what

meal:

that

meal:

was

meal:

but

meal:

everyone

meal:

seemed

meal:

to

meal:

nod

meal:

in

meal:

appreciation

meal:

as

meal:

the

meal:

three

meal:

women

meal:

opened

meal:

the

meal:

boxes up

meal:

exposing

meal:

spring

meal:

rolls

meal:

in

meal:

their

meal:

white

meal:

almost

meal:

translucent

meal:

pockets

meal:

of

meal:

rice

meal:

paper

wrappers:

wrappers:

carrots,

wrappers:

greens,

wrappers:

cucumber,

wrappers:

tofu

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

things.

wrappers:

Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

stomach

wrappers:

rumble

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

bit at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

sheer

wrappers:

amount of the

wrappers:

little

wrappers:

oblong

wrappers:

pockets.

wrappers:

There were

wrappers:

dipping

wrappers:

sauces

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

one

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

boxes

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

opened

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

reveal 

wrappers:

golden

wrappers:

fried 

wrappers:

rolls.
Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

like he should

wrappers:

almost

wrappers:

coo

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

well made

wrappers:

little

wrappers:

rolls.

wrappers:

He had

wrappers:

never

wrappers:

made

wrappers:

home made

wrappers:

egg rolls

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

loved

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

fried

wrappers:

ones.
“Hey!”

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

orange and

wrappers:

magenta

wrappers:

tailed

wrappers:

girl

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

in

wrappers:

irritation, “who

wrappers:

let

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

two

wrappers:

near

wrappers:

that

wrappers:

grill

wrappers:

or

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

chicken!”
She

wrappers:

rapidly

wrappers:

ran

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

grill.

wrappers:

Andy

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

green

wrappers:

tailed

wrappers:

panda

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

purple

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

pink

wrappers:

tailed

wrappers:

one

wrappers:

backed

wrappers:

away

wrappers:

quickly

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

she

wrappers:

began

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

work.

wrappers:

Pam

wrappers:

called

wrappers:

out, “Blair

wrappers:

they

wrappers:

were

wrappers:

trying

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

be

wrappers:

helpful.”
“Don’t

wrappers:

worry

wrappers:

Pam

wrappers:

we know

wrappers:

to let an

wrappers:

expert

wrappers:

work,”

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

as

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

walked

wrappers:

over

wrappers:

Andy

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

stayed

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

grill to

wrappers:

watch

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

smaller

wrappers:

woman

wrappers:

adjusting

wrappers:

knobs

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

clacking

wrappers:

tongs.
“My

wrappers:

girlfriend

wrappers:

ladies

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

gents,”

wrappers:

said one of

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

red

wrappers:

pandas

wrappers:

who had

wrappers:

been

wrappers:

busy

wrappers:

working

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

boxes.

wrappers:

She had a round

wrappers:

chubby

wrappers:

frame,

wrappers:

wire

wrappers:

rimmed

wrappers:

glasses,

wrappers:

and her

wrappers:

hair

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

a light bob cut. most of

wrappers:

her tail was

wrappers:

bright

wrappers:

yellow,

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

single

wrappers:

band

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

purple

wrappers:

breaking

wrappers:

it

wrappers:

up.

wrappers:

She

wrappers:

smiled

wrappers:

pleased

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

inspection

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

panda girl, “need help Georgie?”
“Nope Penny I got it,”

wrappers:

Georgie’s tail

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

purple,

wrappers:

yellow

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

black.

wrappers:

Their

wrappers:

hair

wrappers:

was a

wrappers:

loose

wrappers:

braid,

wrappers:

they

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

thick

wrappers:

framed

wrappers:

glasses

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

colorful

wrappers:

tie-dyed

wrappers:

shirt, “Sorry

wrappers:

about

wrappers:

running

wrappers:

late

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

organization

wrappers:

event

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

not

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

all

wrappers:

organized.”
Chase

wrappers:

winced.

wrappers:

Georgie

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

looking

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

him

wrappers:

eyeing

wrappers:

those

wrappers:

tantalizing

wrappers:

fried

wrappers:

spring

wrappers:

rolls.

wrappers:

He

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

quicky, “Chase

wrappers:

St.

wrappers:

James.”
“Georgie Ng,” said

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

loosely braided

wrappers:

red

wrappers:

panda

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

a 

wrappers:

smirk.
“Well

wrappers:

then

wrappers:

introductions,”

wrappers:

Penny

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

boisterously as

wrappers:

she

wrappers:

cuddled

wrappers:

against

wrappers:

Georgie’s

wrappers:

shoulder, “I’m

wrappers:

Penny

wrappers:

Deng,

wrappers:

the lady

wrappers:

over at the grill is Blair Phan

wrappers:

my

wrappers:

girl friend

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

all

wrappers:

around

wrappers:

girl

wrappers:

boss

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

cutie,”

wrappers:

she

wrappers:

kissed

wrappers:

Georgie’s

wrappers:

cheek

wrappers:

making

wrappers:

them

wrappers:

blush

wrappers:

and giggle, “is our significant other

wrappers:

Georgie

wrappers:

Ng.”
Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

very

wrappers:

confused

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

girlfriend

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

also

wrappers:

significant

wrappers:

other.

wrappers:

Like

wrappers:

both

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

same

wrappers:

time?

wrappers:

He

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

pretty

wrappers:

sure

wrappers:

it would

wrappers:

be

wrappers:

rude

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

ask.

wrappers:

Or

wrappers:

maybe

wrappers:

it

wrappers:

wasn’t?  
“Chase is

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

little

wrappers:

nervous,

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

is

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

first

wrappers:

Pride,”

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

noted.
Pam

wrappers:

rested

wrappers:

her

wrappers:

hands

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

her hips and glowered at Vic, “You didn’t say it

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

first

wrappers:

Pride

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

just

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

new

wrappers:

in

wrappers:

town.

wrappers:

I’m

wrappers:

sure

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

entire

wrappers:

thing

wrappers:

is

wrappers:

pretty

wrappers:

overwhelming.”
Chase

wrappers:

blushed  a bit

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

stepped

wrappers:

in

wrappers:

changing

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

conversation, “Georgie

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

chả giò

wrappers:

look

wrappers:

perfectly

wrappers:

golden.

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

don’t

wrappers:

know

wrappers:

how

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

do

wrappers:

it.”
“Skill,”

wrappers:

Georgie

wrappers:

smirked

wrappers:

cuddling

wrappers:

Penny

wrappers:

for

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

moment

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

then

wrappers:

kissed

wrappers:

her

wrappers:

back, “and

wrappers:

keeping

wrappers:

these

wrappers:

two

wrappers:

busy

wrappers:

while

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

fried.

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

don’t

wrappers:

trust

wrappers:

Penny

wrappers:

around

wrappers:

hot

wrappers:

oil.”
“Oh

wrappers:

hush,”

wrappers:

Penny

wrappers:

smirked. 

wrappers:

Blair,

wrappers:

over at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

grill,

wrappers:

cheered

wrappers:

in

wrappers:

amusement

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

something

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

Andy

wrappers:

laughed.
Terry

wrappers:

began

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

open

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

cooler and

wrappers:

quickly

wrappers:

took

wrappers:

out a

wrappers:

some

wrappers:

Tupperware.

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

eyed

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

plump

wrappers:

panda

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

big

wrappers:

glasses him

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

said quietly

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

Chase, “I’m

wrappers:

going

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

help

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

out.”
Chase

wrappers:

nodded

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

followed

wrappers:

him

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

smiled

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

said, “You’re

wrappers:

going

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

give

wrappers:

me

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

very

wrappers:

high

wrappers:

opinion

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

myself

wrappers:

Chase.”
Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

tail

wrappers:

puff

wrappers:

out, “I,

wrappers:

uh,

wrappers:

don’t

wrappers:

know

wrappers:

anyone.”
“Well

wrappers:

that’s

wrappers:

fair

wrappers:

but,

wrappers:

if

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

is

wrappers:

too

wrappers:

much

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

can

wrappers:

make

wrappers:

excuses

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

we

wrappers:

can

wrappers:

leave

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

do

wrappers:

something

wrappers:

else.

wrappers:

Really,”

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

quietly.

wrappers:

He

wrappers:

looked

wrappers:

Chase

wrappers:

over

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

quickly, “Not

wrappers:

that

wrappers:

I’m

wrappers:

trying

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

steal

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

away

wrappers:

or

wrappers:

anything.”
“Huh?”

wrappers:

Chase

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

little

wrappers:

confused.
“Okay

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

two,”

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

smiled

wrappers:

from

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

cooler, “You

wrappers:

came

wrappers:

over

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

help

wrappers:

or

wrappers:

did

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

come

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

flirt

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

each

wrappers:

other?”
Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

himself

wrappers:

blush. He

wrappers:

wasn’t

wrappers:

flirting!

wrappers:

Was

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

flirting?

wrappers:

How

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

flirting?

wrappers:

Vic

wrappers:

seemed a

wrappers:

little

wrappers:

embarrassed

wrappers:

as

wrappers:

well

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

said, “We

wrappers:

came

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

help

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

what’s

wrappers:

up?”
“Oh

wrappers:

thanks,”

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

grin.

wrappers:

The

wrappers:

plump

wrappers:

panda

wrappers:

set

wrappers:

a tray down

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

picnic

wrappers:

table

wrappers:

next

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

grilled

wrappers:

corn

wrappers:

cobs

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

shrimp

wrappers:

skewers. Terry

wrappers:

began

wrappers:

opening

wrappers:

Tupperware, “I

wrappers:

made

wrappers:

onigri

wrappers:

for

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

picnic

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

thought

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

should

wrappers:

finally

wrappers:

take

wrappers:

them

wrappers:

out.”
“Oh

wrappers:

what

wrappers:

did you put in them?” Vic’s nose wiggled. Chase could

wrappers:

smell

wrappers:

steamed

wrappers:

rice

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

seaweed

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

distinct

wrappers:

fishy

wrappers:

odor.
“Tuna,

wrappers:

crab,

wrappers:

and umeboshi,” said Terry with a grin

wrappers:

as

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

opened

wrappers:

the three

wrappers:

Tupperware

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

began

wrappers:

setting

wrappers:

out

wrappers:

rounded

wrappers:

lopsided

wrappers:

triangles

wrappers:

with bits of

wrappers:

seaweed

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

them.

wrappers:

Some were

wrappers:

more

wrappers:

like

wrappers:

spheres

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

on others

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

sea weed 

wrappers:

barely

wrappers:

hung

wrappers:

on.

wrappers:

Terry’s

wrappers:

magenta,

wrappers:

purple

wrappers:

ad

wrappers:

blue

wrappers:

tail

wrappers:

quirked

wrappers:

in

wrappers:

embarrassment, “Sorry,

wrappers:

I’m

wrappers:

not

wrappers:

great

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

making

wrappers:

these.”
“They

wrappers:

look

wrappers:

tasty,”

wrappers:

Chase

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

looking

wrappers:

them

wrappers:

over, “I

wrappers:

don’t

wrappers:

think

wrappers:

I’ve

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

onigiri

wrappers:

before.”
“Really?”

wrappers:

Terry

wrappers:

said in

wrappers:

surprise, “my

wrappers:

mom

wrappers:

made

wrappers:

them

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

lot

wrappers:

for

wrappers:

school

wrappers:

lunches

wrappers:

when I was

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

kid

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

never as

wrappers:

good

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

them. 

wrappers:

She

wrappers:

could

wrappers:

do

wrappers:

perfect

wrappers:

triangles.

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

should

wrappers:

have

wrappers:

learned

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

dork

wrappers:

who

wrappers:

wanted

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

PB

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

J

wrappers:

like

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

kids.”
Vic

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

begun

wrappers:

unloading

wrappers:

one

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

tupperwares

wrappers:

onto

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

tray

wrappers:

and he

wrappers:

took

wrappers:

one and

wrappers:

bit

wrappers:

into

wrappers:

it

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

smiled, “Oh

wrappers:

found

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

crab.”
“Okay

wrappers:

you

wrappers:

three

wrappers:

stop

wrappers:

snacking

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

help

wrappers:

me

wrappers:

lay

wrappers:

these

wrappers:

out,”

wrappers:

Blair

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

crew

wrappers:

top

wrappers:

sporting

wrappers:

panda

wrappers:

with the

wrappers:

orange and

wrappers:

magenta

wrappers:

tail

wrappers:

put

wrappers:

down

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

tray

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

chicken

wrappers:

wings

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

various

wrappers:

colors. “Someone

wrappers:

didn’t

wrappers:

tell

wrappers:

me

wrappers:

there

wrappers:

were

wrappers:

different

wrappers:

marinades on

wrappers:

these

wrappers:

so they’re

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

bit

wrappers:

confused.

wrappers:

We

wrappers:

have

wrappers:

chili,

wrappers:

lemon

wrappers:

pepper,

wrappers:

and a

wrappers:

scallion

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

soy

wrappers:

sauce

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

think.”
“I

wrappers:

brought

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

bamboo

wrappers:

salad,”

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

Jenny

wrappers:

putting

wrappers:

down

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

large

wrappers:

chilled

wrappers:

bowl

wrappers:

full

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

chopped

wrappers:

bamboo

wrappers:

shoots

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

green

wrappers:

leaves

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

distinct

wrappers:

smell

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

lime

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

sesame

wrappers:

rising

wrappers:

from

wrappers:

it.
Chase

wrappers:

looked

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

salad

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

grin, “Oh

wrappers:

that

wrappers:

smells

wrappers:

really

wrappers:

good.

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

don’t

wrappers:

think

wrappers:

I’ve

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

that

wrappers:

before.”
“It is

wrappers:

more

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

an

wrappers:

American

wrappers:

fusion

wrappers:

thing,”

wrappers:

Jenny

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

dismissively, “my

wrappers:

parents

wrappers:

were

wrappers:

all

wrappers:

about

wrappers:

assimilating

wrappers:

so

wrappers:

I

wrappers:

never

wrappers:

learned

wrappers:

how

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

cook

wrappers:

proper

wrappers:

Cantonese

wrappers:

cuisine.”
“Like

wrappers:

any

wrappers:

of us are

wrappers:

cooking

wrappers:

authentically

wrappers:

asian fare,”

wrappers:

Blair

wrappers:

rolled

wrappers:

her eyes

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

walked

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

table

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

grab

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

plate.
Even

wrappers:

though

wrappers:

it

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

later

wrappers:

afternoon

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

sun

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

dipping

wrappers:

Chase

wrappers:

felt

wrappers:

like

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

day

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

still

wrappers:

before

wrappers:

him.

wrappers:

He

wrappers:

filled

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

plate

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

bamboo

wrappers:

salad,

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

corn cob,

wrappers:

tuna

wrappers:

onigiri,

wrappers:

shrimp

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

pepper

wrappers:

kabobs, a

wrappers:

chicken

wrappers:

wing, spring

wrappers:

rolls,

wrappers:

cha

wrappers:

gio

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

course

wrappers:

sauces.

wrappers:

Soy

wrappers:

sauce, a

wrappers:

red

wrappers:

chili

wrappers:

sauce

wrappers:

Blair

wrappers:

pointed

wrappers:

out

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

him,

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

nuoc

wrappers:

mam (which

wrappers:

Andy

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

said

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

fish

wrappers:

for

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

spring

wrappers:

rolls).

wrappers:

Considering

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

come

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

entire

wrappers:

thing

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

intention

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

getting

wrappers:

pizza

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

way

wrappers:

home

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

massive

wrappers:

step-up .
The

wrappers:

tables

wrappers:

were

wrappers:

laden

wrappers:

with

wrappers:

too

wrappers:

much

wrappers:

food

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

sit

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

them

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

grass

wrappers:

beach

wrappers:

towels

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

blankets

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

been

wrappers:

spread

wrappers:

out.

wrappers:

Someone

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

set

wrappers:

out

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

folding

wrappers:

chair

wrappers:

or two. Well,

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

didn’t have a beach

wrappers:

towel and he didn’t

wrappers:

bring

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

chair.

wrappers:

He

wrappers:

considered

wrappers:

that

wrappers:

as

wrappers:

he

wrappers:

worked

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

adding

wrappers:

to

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

plate.
By

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

time

wrappers:

he had

wrappers:

assembled

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

plate

wrappers:

with the

wrappers:

various

wrappers:

goodies,

wrappers:

two

wrappers:

more

wrappers:

red

wrappers:

pandas

wrappers:

joined

wrappers:

them.

wrappers:

The

wrappers:

younger

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

the

wrappers:

two

wrappers:

was as

wrappers:

tall

wrappers:

as Andy

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

much

wrappers:

wider with

wrappers:

thick

wrappers:

hair

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

beard

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

his

wrappers:

muzzle.

wrappers:

Everything

wrappers:

about

wrappers:

him

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

shaggy

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

thick.

wrappers:

He wore

wrappers:

a

wrappers:

denim

wrappers:

vest

wrappers:

with a

wrappers:

big

wrappers:

bear

wrappers:

claw

wrappers:

paw

wrappers:

on

wrappers:

it,

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

large

wrappers:

Bermuda

wrappers:

shorts.

wrappers:

His tail

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

colored

wrappers:

too

wrappers:

but

wrappers:

at

wrappers:

least

wrappers:

this

wrappers:

time it

wrappers:

was

wrappers:

earth

wrappers:

tones

wrappers:

of

wrappers:

browns

wrappers:

tans

wrappers:

and

wrappers:

whites.
The

wrappers:

other

wrappers:

panda’s

wrappers:

tail

wrappers:

had

wrappers:

eight

stripes:

stripes:

pink

stripes:

at

stripes:

the

stripes:

tip

stripes:

then

stripes:

red,

stripes:

orange,

stripes:

yellow,

stripes:

green,

stripes:

turquoise,

stripes:

blue,

stripes:

and

stripes:

ending

stripes:

in

stripes:

purple.

stripes:

He

stripes:

was

stripes:

thick sided

stripes:

with

stripes:

a

stripes:

heavy

stripes:

paunch.

stripes:

He

stripes:

was

stripes:

also

stripes:

substantially

stripes:

older

stripes:

walking

stripes:

with

stripes:

a

stripes:

cane

stripes:

and

stripes:

a

stripes:

thick

stripes:

grey

stripes:

beard

stripes:

on

stripes:

his

stripes:

face.

stripes:

He

stripes:

smiled

stripes:

at

stripes:

everyone

stripes:

and quickly

stripes:

moved to

stripes:

the

stripes:

chair

stripes:

that

stripes:

had

stripes:

been

stripes:

left

stripes:

vacant.

stripes:

Sitting

stripes:

down

stripes:

he wiggled his

stripes:

sandaled

stripes:

feet, “Thank

stripes:

all

stripes:

the

stripes:

drag

stripes:

queens

stripes:

my

stripes:

feet

stripes:

were

stripes:

killing

stripes:

me.

stripes:

Who

stripes:

do

stripes:

I

stripes:

praise

stripes:

for

stripes:

the

stripes:

chair?”
“Who

stripes:

else

stripes:

but Jenny,” said Pam with a flick of her voluminous tail, “we know you

stripes:

don’t

stripes:

like

stripes:

to

stripes:

flop

stripes:

on

stripes:

the

stripes:

ground

stripes:

Mike.
Mike

stripes:

shook

stripes:

his

stripes:

head, “should

stripes:

have

stripes:

been

stripes:

here

stripes:

sooner.

stripes:

It’s

stripes:

too

stripes:

hot

stripes:

to traipse

stripes:

about

stripes:

out

stripes:

there

stripes:

if

stripes:

you

stripes:

ask

stripes:

me.”
“What

stripes:

if

stripes:

we

stripes:

got

stripes:

you

stripes:

a

stripes:

rascal

stripes:

scooter?”

stripes:

suggested

stripes:

the

stripes:

bigger

stripes:

male

stripes:

with

stripes:

the

stripes:

brown,

stripes:

orange,

stripes:

yellow,

stripes:

white,

stripes:

grey,

stripes:

black

stripes:

tail. 

stripes:

Like

stripes:

Andy

stripes:

he

stripes:

was

stripes:

significantly

stripes:

larger

stripes:

and wider than Chase just

stripes:

with

stripes:

a

stripes:

softer

stripes:

middle.
Mike

stripes:

the

stripes:

older

stripes:

one

stripes:

with

stripes:

the

stripes:

rainbow

stripes:

tail

stripes:

made

stripes:

a

stripes:

face

stripes:

and

stripes:

said

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

brown

stripes:

tripped

stripes:

tailed

stripes:

guy, “Ralph,

stripes:

no

stripes:

one

stripes:

would

stripes:

enjoy

stripes:

my

stripes:

fashion

stripes:

sense

stripes:

on

stripes:

a

stripes:

scooter.

stripes:

You’re

stripes:

the

stripes:

one

stripes:

who

stripes:

got

stripes:

me

stripes:

to

stripes:

go

stripes:

to

stripes:

that

stripes:

little

stripes:

event.”
“Oh

stripes:

it

stripes:

was

stripes:

fun

stripes:

you

stripes:

got

stripes:

called a GILF,” said Ralph with a

stripes:

hearty

stripes:

chuckle , “we

stripes:

even

stripes:

got

stripes:

to

stripes:

dance

stripes:

a bit.”
Andy brought Mike

stripes:

a

stripes:

bottle

stripes:

of

stripes:

cold

stripes:

water

stripes:

which

stripes:

he

stripes:

chugged

stripes:

happily “If

stripes:

someone

stripes:

puts

stripes:

on

stripes:

It’s

stripes:

Raining

stripes:

Men,

stripes:

I’m

stripes:

going

stripes:

to

stripes:

Dance,”

stripes:

Mike

stripes:

put

stripes:

his

stripes:

phone

stripes:

away, “it’s

stripes:

the

stripes:

Queer

stripes:

Code

stripes:

for a

stripes:

desiccated

stripes:

old

stripes:

mummy

stripes:

like

stripes:

me.”
“no,

stripes:

see

stripes:

you’re

stripes:

not

stripes:

a

stripes:

mommy

stripes:

you’re a

stripes:

daddy,

stripes:

well

stripes:

a

stripes:

grand

stripes:

daddy,”

stripes:

Ralph

stripes:

said

stripes:

boisterously, “oh

stripes:

man

stripes:

I am starving though lets get to

stripes:

this picnic.”.Blair

stripes:

handed

stripes:

a

stripes:

plate

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

old

stripes:

man

stripes:

named

stripes:

Mike

stripes:

and

stripes:

settled

stripes:

herself

stripes:

in.
“Chase,

stripes:

over

stripes:

here,”

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

called..

stripes:

Pam

stripes:

was

stripes:

resting

stripes:

her

stripes:

tail

stripes:

comfortably

stripes:

on

stripes:

a

stripes:

frankly

stripes:

enormous

stripes:

towel.

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

was

stripes:

on

stripes:

Vic’s

stripes:

left

stripes:

as Vic

stripes:

tugged

stripes:

on

stripes:

a

stripes:

spacer

stripes:

in

stripes:

one

stripes:

of

stripes:

his

stripes:

ears.

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

smiled and

stripes:

waved

stripes:

him

stripes:

toward

stripes:

the

stripes:

space

stripes:

on

stripes:

his

stripes:

right.

stripes:

He

stripes:

was

stripes:

totally

stripes:

being

stripes:

clingy.

stripes:

Viccould

stripes:

tell

stripes:

he

stripes:

was clingy

stripes:

but,

stripes:

well, Vic

stripes:

was

stripes:

so

stripes:

nice.

stripes:

He

stripes:

really

stripes:

shouldn’t

stripes:

bother

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

but

stripes:

the

stripes:

panda

stripes:

smiled

stripes:

at

stripes:

him

stripes:

and

stripes:

well

stripes:

maybe

stripes:

he’d

stripes:

just

stripes:

finish

stripes:

up

stripes:

lunch

stripes:

and

stripes:

let

stripes:

the

stripes:

guy

stripes:

be.
Andy

stripes:

was

stripes:

chatting

stripes:

with

stripes:

Jess

stripes:

nearer

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

grill

stripes:

while

stripes:

Blair,

stripes:

Penny

stripes:

and

stripes:

Georgie

stripes:

had

stripes:

arrayed

stripes:

themselves

stripes:

in

stripes:

their

stripes:

own

stripes:

little

stripes:

pocket.

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

munched on a

stripes:

shrimp

stripes:

and

stripes:

said, “Wait,

stripes:

who

stripes:

brought

stripes:

dessert?”
Vic

stripes:

cleared

stripes:

his

stripes:

throat, “Charlie

stripes:

packed

stripes:

up

stripes:

some

stripes:

honey

stripes:

dipped

stripes:

apple

stripes:

slices.”
Pamela

stripes:

chuckled

stripes:

and

stripes:

lounged

stripes:

back. She

stripes:

sipped

stripes:

her

stripes:

can

stripes:

of

stripes:

beer.

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

decided

stripes:

to

stripes:

try

stripes:

and

stripes:

be

stripes:

conversational, “I

stripes:

know

stripes:

a guy at school

stripes:

who

stripes:

drinks

stripes:

that.”
“Oh?”

stripes:

Pamela

stripes:

said, “but you

stripes:

don’t?”
“I’m 19 so,” Chase nervously munched a

stripes:

spring roll he had dipped in

stripes:

the

stripes:

nuoc mam.
Pam

stripes:

smirked at

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

for

stripes:

some

stripes:

reason

stripes:

and

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

wanted

stripes:

to

stripes:

bury

stripes:

his

stripes:

head

stripes:

for

stripes:

admitting

stripes:

to

stripes:

being

stripes:

so

stripes:

young, “So

stripes:

you

stripes:

know

stripes:

a guy at school

stripes:

who

stripes:

drinks

stripes:

a

stripes:

Japanese

stripes:

brand

stripes:

of

stripes:

beer?”
“The

stripes:

Budweiser

stripes:

of

stripes:

Japan,”

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

snorted

stripes:

nibbling

stripes:

on

stripes:

the

stripes:

corn cob, “Good

stripes:

corn

stripes:

Vic.”
“Yeah

stripes:

there’s

stripes:

an

stripes:

Asian

stripes:

and

stripes:

Pacific

stripes:

Islander

stripes:

club

stripes:

at

stripes:

school.

stripes:

I’ve

stripes:

gone

stripes:

a

stripes:

few

stripes:

times,”

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

nodded, “this

stripes:

fox

stripes:

senior

stripes:

talks

stripes:

about

stripes:

the

stripes:

beer

stripes:

he

stripes:

drinks

stripes:

a

stripes:

lot.”
“Wish

stripes:

I

stripes:

had

stripes:

that

stripes:

in

stripes:

school

stripes:

but

stripes:

I

stripes:

went

stripes:

to

stripes:

a

stripes:

small

stripes:

north east

stripes:

college

stripes:

and

stripes:

I

stripes:

was

stripes:

the

stripes:

only

stripes:

person

stripes:

with

stripes:

roots

stripes:

in

stripes:

Okinawa

stripes:

and

stripes:

there

stripes:

were

stripes:

like

stripes:

five

stripes:

other

stripes:

Asians

stripes:

there,”

stripes:

she

stripes:

said

stripes:

with

stripes:

a

stripes:

shrug.
“I had it

stripes:

in

stripes:

college

stripes:

it

stripes:

was

stripes:

fine

stripes:

but

stripes:

I

stripes:

didn’t

stripes:

go

stripes:

much,”

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

paused

stripes:

drinking

stripes:

his

stripes:

soda, “I

stripes:

didn’t

stripes:

have

stripes:

that

stripes:

much

stripes:

in

stripes:

common

stripes:

with

stripes:

the

stripes:

crowd.

stripes:

Andy

stripes:

went

stripes:

more

stripes:

often

stripes:

but

stripes:

I

stripes:

went

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

LGBT

stripes:

group

stripes:

more

stripes:

often.

stripes:

How’s

stripes:

the AAPI one

stripes:

at

stripes:

your

stripes:

school

stripes:

Chase?”
Chase

stripes:

blushed

stripes:

a

stripes:

bit

stripes:

at

stripes:

the

stripes:

idea

stripes:

of

stripes:

going

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

college

stripes:

LGBT

stripes:

group.

stripes:

He had

stripes:

never

stripes:

thought

stripes:

of

stripes:

doing

stripes:

it.

stripes:

He

stripes:

said

stripes:

quickly, “I, uh,

stripes:

haven’t

stripes:

gone

stripes:

enough

stripes:

to

stripes:

the

stripes:

AAPI.

stripes:

Maybe

stripes:

twice.

stripes:

Some

stripes:

of

stripes:

other

stripes:

Chinese

stripes:

students

stripes:

sort

stripes:

of

stripes:

expected

stripes:

me

stripes:

to

stripes:

speak

stripes:

Chinese

stripes:

and

stripes:

I

stripes:

don’t

stripes:

really.

stripes:

So

stripes:

I

stripes:

wasn’t

stripes:

sure

stripes:

if

stripes:

I should

stripes:

go

stripes:

back.”
Chase waited

stripes:

for

stripes:

the

stripes:

usual

stripes:

looks

stripes:

of

stripes:

annoyance

stripes:

from

stripes:

the

stripes:

group

stripes:

but

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

said, “I

stripes:

know

stripes:

the

stripes:

feeling.

stripes:

I

stripes:

only

stripes:

know

stripes:

a

stripes:

few

stripes:

Korean

stripes:

words

stripes:

but

stripes:

every

stripes:

time

stripes:

I

stripes:

go

stripes:

to

stripes:

that

stripes:

BBQ

stripes:

in

stripes:

town

stripes:

they

stripes:

all

stripes:

start

stripes:

talking

stripes:

rapidly

stripes:

and

stripes:

I

stripes:

can’t

stripes:

follow

stripes:

anything.

stripes:

My

stripes:

parents

stripes:

weren’t

stripes:

big

stripes:

on

stripes:

me

stripes:

learning

stripes:

it.”
“My

stripes:

mom

stripes:

signed

stripes:

me

stripes:

up

stripes:

for

stripes:

a

stripes:

few

stripes:

vietnamese

stripes:

classes

stripes:

when

stripes:

I

stripes:

was

stripes:

a

stripes:

kid

stripes:

but

stripes:

I

stripes:

didn’t

stripes:

want

stripes:

to

stripes:

go

stripes:

because

stripes:

it

stripes:

was a

stripes:

long

stripes:

drive

stripes:

from

stripes:

our

stripes:

house

stripes:

on a

stripes:

Saturday,”

stripes:

Andy

stripes:

said

stripes:

from

stripes:

his

stripes:

seat

stripes:

where

stripes:

he

stripes:

was

stripes:

talking

stripes:

with

stripes:

Ralph.
“My

stripes:

mom

stripes:

was

stripes:

glad

stripes:

I

stripes:

wanted

stripes:

to

stripes:

learn

stripes:

after

stripes:

I

stripes:

started

stripes:

watching

stripes:

anime,”

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

chuckling

stripes:

added, “she

stripes:

was

stripes:

less

stripes:

happy

stripes:

because

stripes:

I

stripes:

picked

stripes:

up

stripes:

so

stripes:

many

stripes:

swear words.

stripes:

Andy’s

stripes:

parents

stripes:

were

stripes:

furious

stripes:

I

stripes:

taught

stripes:

them

stripes:

to

stripes:

him

stripes:

too

stripes:

because they speak

stripes:

Vietnamese and don’t know Japanese. I

stripes:

think

stripes:

that

stripes:

was

stripes:

when

stripes:

they

stripes:

started

stripes:

calling

stripes:

me

stripes:

a

stripes:

bad

stripes:

influence.”
Pam

stripes:

nodded

stripes:

her

stripes:

head, “It

stripes:

is

stripes:

odd

stripes:

how

stripes:

people

stripes:

group

stripes:

together

stripes:

sometimes.

stripes:

Our

stripes:

case

stripes:

really

stripes:

is

stripes:

just

stripes:

red

stripes:

pandas

stripes:

in

stripes:

the

stripes:

queer

stripes:

community.

stripes:

The

stripes:

Asian

stripes:

Queer

stripes:

community

stripes:

in

stripes:

the

stripes:

city

stripes:

isn’t

stripes:

huge.

stripes:

Mike

stripes:

and

stripes:

I

stripes:

were

stripes:

the

stripes:

ones

stripes:

who

stripes:

organized

stripes:

the

stripes:

first

stripes:

one

stripes:

a

stripes:

few

stripes:

years

stripes:

ago

stripes:

and

stripes:

we

stripes:

put

stripes:

up

stripes:

announcements

stripes:

to try and raise

stripes:

awareness but that backfired.”
“Backfired?”

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

asked.
“Questions

stripes:

if

stripes:

we

stripes:

were

stripes:

excluding

stripes:

people

stripes:

who

stripes:

weren’t

stripes:

pandas,

stripes:

stuff

stripes:

about

stripes:

how

stripes:

Pride

stripes:

isn’t

stripes:

about

stripes:

species,

stripes:

national

stripes:

origin, or

stripes:

geography,”

stripes:

Pam

stripes:

looked

stripes:

annoyed

stripes:

making

stripes:

a

stripes:

barking

stripes:

huff

stripes:

counting

stripes:

on

stripes:

her

stripes:

fingers, “the

stripes:

usual

stripes:

crap

stripes:

from

stripes:

people,

stripes:

along with

stripes:

questions

stripes:

if

stripes:

we

stripes:

were

stripes:

a

stripes:

kink

stripes:

group.

stripes:

So

stripes:

we

stripes:

made

stripes:

it

stripes:

an

stripes:

unofficial

stripes:

meet up

stripes:

and

stripes:

just

stripes:

snag

stripes:

the

stripes:

park

stripes:

benches.

stripes:

Its

stripes:

easier

stripes:

to

stripes:

just

stripes:

do

stripes:

it

stripes:

by

stripes:

word

stripes:

of

stripes:

mouth.”
“Besides

stripes:

we

stripes:

all

stripes:

tend

stripes:

to

stripes:

hang

stripes:

out at

stripes:

different

stripes:

places.

stripes:

The

stripes:

entire

stripes:

gang

stripes:

does

stripes:

dim

stripes:

sum

stripes:

regularly,”

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

said

stripes:

reassuringly, “but

stripes:

I

stripes:

know

stripes:

a

stripes:

bit

stripes:

of

stripes:

what

stripes:

it

stripes:

is like

stripes:

to

stripes:

feel

stripes:

like

stripes:

the

stripes:

only

stripes:

red

stripes:

panda

stripes:

for

stripes:

miles

stripes:

so I

stripes:

thought

stripes:

I’d invite

stripes:

you

stripes:

in.”
“Good

stripes:

move,”

stripes:

Pam

stripes:

said

stripes:

to

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

with

stripes:

a

stripes:

chuckle adding, “dirty

stripes:

old

stripes:

man.”
Vic

stripes:

crunched on a cha gio

stripes:

but

stripes:

paused as Chase

stripes:

leaned

stripes:

into

stripes:

his

stripes:

arm

stripes:

scooting a

stripes:

little

stripes:

closer.

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

smirked

stripes:

at

stripes:

him

stripes:

and

stripes:

sipped

stripes:

his

stripes:

drink.

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

began

stripes:

to

stripes:

pet

stripes:

Chase’s

stripes:

red

stripes:

and

stripes:

brown

stripes:

fluffy

stripes:

tail

stripes:

feeling

stripes:

the

stripes:

way

stripes:

the

stripes:

fur

stripes:

tensed

stripes:

for

stripes:

a

stripes:

moment

stripes:

before

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

relaxed.

stripes:

The

stripes:

younger

stripes:

panda

stripes:

said, “we,

stripes:

I

stripes:

mean

stripes:

my

stripes:

town

stripes:

was

stripes:

a

stripes:

small

stripes:

bedroom

stripes:

community

stripes:

and

stripes:

we

stripes:

didn’t

stripes:

have

stripes:

anything

stripes:

like

stripes:

this.”
Vic

stripes:

continued

stripes:

petting

stripes:

saying, “ah

stripes:

so

stripes:

you’re

stripes:

another

stripes:

queer

stripes:

panda

stripes:

from

stripes:

a

stripes:

tiny

stripes:

town.

stripes:

I

stripes:

can

stripes:

relate

stripes:

my

stripes:

family

stripes:

were

stripes:

the

stripes:

only

stripes:

Asians

stripes:

in

stripes:

town.”
“Well,”

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

wiggled

stripes:

ignoring

stripes:

the

stripes:

queer

stripes:

part,

stripes:

because

stripes:

well

stripes:

why not

stripes:

just let Vic

stripes:

keep

stripes:

assuming for

stripes:

a

stripes:

while

stripes:

it was

stripes:

so

stripes:

nice

stripes:

feeling

stripes:

his

stripes:

hand

stripes:

there, “My

stripes:

mom

stripes:

and

stripes:

dad

stripes:

back

stripes:

home

stripes:

are

stripes:

actually

stripes:

wolves.

stripes:

St.

stripes:

James

stripes:

isn’t

stripes:

exactly

stripes:

a

stripes:

Chinese

stripes:

family

stripes:

name.”
Chase

stripes:

waited

stripes:

to

stripes:

get

stripes:

the

stripes:

usual

stripes:

comments

stripes:

about

stripes:

the

stripes:

fact

stripes:

he

stripes:

was

stripes:

adopted

stripes:

but

stripes:

Pam ate

stripes:

from

stripes:

her

stripes:

plate

stripes:

and

stripes:

Terry

stripes:

just

stripes:

nodded.

stripes:

Vic

stripes:

continued

stripes:

to

stripes:

pet

stripes:

his

stripes:

back

stripes:

saying, “So

stripes:

a

stripes:

lot

stripes:

of

stripes:

culture

stripes:

shock

stripes:

here.”
“Yeah,”

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

said

stripes:

quietly

stripes:

and

stripes:

wiggling

stripes:

a

stripes:

bit

stripes:

added, “not

stripes:

bad

stripes:

though.”
“I’d

stripes:

hope

stripes:

not,

stripes:

we

stripes:

try

stripes:

to

stripes:

be

stripes:

pretty

stripes:

welcoming,” said Terry.
“My

stripes:

parents

stripes:

did

stripes:

try

stripes:

to

stripes:

do

stripes:

Chinese

stripes:

stuff

stripes:

with

stripes:

me

stripes:

like

stripes:

language

stripes:

lessons

stripes:

and

stripes:

New

stripes:

Year

stripes:

but

stripes:

it

stripes:

was

stripes:

always

stripes:

a

stripes:

little

stripes:

awkward.

stripes:

The

stripes:

other

stripes:

folks

stripes:

well,

stripes:

uh.”
Terry

stripes:

nodded, “Yeah,

stripes:

my

stripes:

grandparents

stripes:

were

stripes:

born

stripes:

in

stripes:

America.

stripes:

I

stripes:

grew

stripes:

up

stripes:

with

stripes:

family

stripes:

traditions

stripes:

and

stripes:

the

stripes:

stuff

stripes:

you

stripes:

hear

stripes:

about,

stripes:

but

stripes:

you’ve

stripes:

never

stripes:

done.

stripes:

Then

stripes:

there

stripes:

were

stripes:

the

stripes:

folks

stripes:

in

stripes:

college

stripes:

who

stripes:

wanted

stripes:

me

stripes:

to

stripes:

be

stripes:

their

stripes:

personal

stripes:

Japan

stripes:

expert.”
“Right?

stripes:

As

stripes:

if

stripes:

I

stripes:

know

stripes:

everything

stripes:

about

stripes:

Okinawa

stripes:

a

stripes:

centuries

stripes:

old

stripes:

culture

stripes:

on

stripes:

a

stripes:

small

stripes:

island

stripes:

I had

stripes:

never

stripes:

been

stripes:

too.

stripes:

Don't

stripes:

even

stripes:

get

stripes:

me

stripes:

started

stripes:

on

stripes:

people

stripes:

asking

stripes:

about

stripes:

Mr.

stripes:

Miyagi,”

stripes:

Pam

stripes:

said

stripes:

with some heated

stripes:

annoyance.
Chase saw Vic

stripes:

nodding

stripes:

his

stripes:

head

stripes:

and

stripes:

he

stripes:

said, “oh

stripes:

I

stripes:

thought

stripes:

it

stripes:

was

stripes:

just me

stripes:

who

stripes:

found that

stripes:

annoying. Yeah

stripes:

everyone

stripes:

on

stripes:

my

stripes:

dorm

stripes:

floor

stripes:

last

stripes:

year

stripes:

kept

stripes:

asking

stripes:

me

stripes:

stupid

stripes:

stuff

stripes:

and

stripes:

like

stripes:

what

stripes:

I

stripes:

thought

stripes:

of

stripes:

the

stripes:

government

stripes:

there,

stripes:

and

stripes:

I

stripes:

don’t

stripes:

know,

stripes:

I’ve

stripes:

been

stripes:

a

stripes:

citizen

stripes:

here

stripes:

since

stripes:

I

stripes:

was

stripes:

two.”
“Well it

stripes:

looks

stripes:

like

stripes:

everything

stripes:

came

stripes:

off

stripes:

without

stripes:

a

stripes:

hitch,”

stripes:

called

stripes:

out

stripes:

a

stripes:

voice.

This

stripes:

was

stripes:

the

stripes:

first of

stripes:

two

stripes:

parts

stripes:

of “Chase

stripes:

the

stripes:

Pride”

stripes:

by

stripes:

D.J.

stripes:

Fahl,

stripes:

read

stripes:

for you

stripes:

by

stripes:

Rob

stripes:

MacWolf,

stripes:

Werewolf

stripes:

Hitchhiker.

stripes:

Tune

stripes:

in

stripes:

next

stripes:

time

stripes:

to

stripes:

find

stripes:

out

stripes:

who

stripes:

just

stripes:

arrived

stripes:

at

stripes:

the

stripes:

picnic

stripes:

and

stripes:

how

stripes:

Chase

stripes:

will

stripes:

respond

stripes:

to

stripes:

all

stripes:

these

stripes:

new

stripes:

experiences.
As

stripes:

always,

stripes:

you can

stripes:

find

stripes:

more

stripes:

stories

stripes:

on

stripes:

the

stripes:

web

stripes:

at

stripes:

thevoice.dog,

stripes:

or

stripes:

find

stripes:

the

stripes:

show

stripes:

wherever

stripes:

you

stripes:

get

stripes:

your

stripes:

podcasts. 

stripes:

Thank

stripes:

you

stripes:

for

stripes:

listening

stripes:

to

stripes:

The

stripes:

Voice

stripes:

of

stripes:

Dog. 

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About the Podcast

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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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