Neighbor

Last night a coyote started howling loudly right outside my bedroom's sliding door. I turned on the outside light to try see him, and he stopped in mid-howl. I heard the sound in his throat, him bounding away through the brush.

I was immediately sorry I'd turned on the light. But I remember thinking vaguely that the coyote's celebration combined with the nightly owl wing-ding would draw the unwanted attention of the neighbors, then someone would complain, and then someone might come and interfere with your visitations.

I hope, coyote, you understand I was not trying to run you off.