BLACK DEVIL

            I had a few moments before lunch was served and my jacket was just too much for the day so I made the trek up to the apartment to drop it off. As I approach I notice the gate is once again closed so I key myself in through the door next to the gate. I get two steps in and I stop as I look at Prince’s cage. If you don’t recall Prince is the 130lb giant Schnauzer that wants to see me dead.  These are the moments that I thank my lucky stars for having the parents I had and for also living in New York. Always be aware of your surroundings and if you have a bad feeling then there is a reason for that said feeling.

            Although I can’t see him in his cage that doesn’t mean he’s not there since he actually lives in an old wine cask. Appropriate don't you think? I stand there, two paces from the door, eyeing and listening for anything and everything until finally, thirty feet away hiding behind a tree is Prince. I can barely make him out but once he realizes that I realize he’s out it's on! I rush back through the gate and although it was a mere two paces he still nearly got me! Jesus mother of holy God! Prince lunges up on the fence with barely a try and his teeth reach the height of my forehead. Tricky little devil I think but this is where the next problem arises. The key, that I have to use to lock the gate that really doesn’t stay shut on it’s own is just inside the gate…still in the lock. It’s an ancient metal key with the old style head and I have to turn it a full rotation but Prince isn’t going anywhere and I’m not sticking my hand in there to turn it.

            So I stand there for about three minutes holding the gate closed and finally something catches Prince’s attention long enough for me to reach through the hole and turn the key. SNAP! The gate is locked and I am now safe and Prince’s blood lust will have to wait another day. Of course as soon as I finally get the lock affixed the father comes racing up in the car apologizing profusely. He had forgotten to tell me that the black heathen of death was out today. No worries, seven days down, eighty-three more of me cheating death.