1.
Diane was alone in the kitchen when someone knocked at her front door. Two young black men, one tall, one short, dressed in all white, white polo shirts, white shorts and white sneakers--even white socks. Fastidious as Latter-Day Saints missionaries.
But they were selling eggs. The tall one opened the egg carton, the short one did the talking: Look at these eggs, ma'am, aren't they the finest you've seen in your life?
Looked like kind folks but she had to say no. She just did her grocery this morning, she told them; her fridge was full of eggs. They were disappointed but still polite: Thanks for your time, ma'am.
She was sorry to watch them go. About the same age as her daughter and already earning their own meals. Speaking of her daughter. Fiona'll be home in 20 minutes and Richard in an hour. And her roast lamb was not in the oven yet! Diane was about to close the door when she suddenly heard:
Watch out, Paulie!
The next thing she knew one of them was on the ground, tripped by the flower pot, the carton loose and eggs smashed into a pool of orange blood.
Except for one, a little brown thing rolling its way to Diane's feet. By instinct She picked it up, and it was not smashed. How come it was not? Wait, this one was Hard. Boiled. Strange.
2.
She had to invite them in. The one called Paulie was all orange. Now, honey there you are, good as new, well, almost. It's been a long day ma'am, they thanked her kindness. We parked a little further down the road and walked, that's why you don't see our car here. Was that poor carton of eggs one of your last? Yes ma'am we had a good run today. Everyone was very nice, very nice to us. Now you made me feel bad about my grocery run! Why don't I get you both some drink? Orange or raspberry?
She was going to the kitchen but they stopped her. Ma'am let Paulie get it for you, you just rest right here!
Well I need to put my lamb in the oven anyway but okay. You don't have a dog in this home, ma'am? No, my daughter is allergic to them. That's good, ma'am. Sometimes they can be very annoying. What do you mean? Dogs can be inconvenient, getting in your way. But they don't mean harm, they're just like little children! They don't know about our rules. She was a little amazed. Why don't you like dogs?