She named the puppy Tickles.

"Why did you name her that?" I asked one day as she held her.

"Well, I didn't know what to name her. Everybody tends to name them Blue, but I couldn't do it. Since the last part of bluetick of tick is tick, I named her Tickles. Isn't that a cute name, baby?"

She was rubbing her belly and cooing to her at the end.

"You're going to make a great mother."

It slipped out of my mouth before I thought.

She froze up. Sadness came over her face.

"I hope I will, if I ever get the chance."

We were thirty two by then,...