Stories by Vera Duffy

“Dr. Rayner, do you believe in coincidences?” Winnie asked, then blurted, “I saw a dog die.”

The therapist shifted in her armchair, frowning. The girl’s face blossomed pink.

“I was stopped at an intersection and I could see this little dog, like a big Chihuahua, trotting across the crosswalk. No leash in sight. I’m not a dog person, but I loved the way he looked. Like, yeah, I’m a little guy all alone in this world, but I can do this.”