The possum gave an unpleasant grin and reached out his paw for the titles and keys. Not so fast, said JenEllen, sliding off the talegate of the truck, and ambling over, accompanied by her large black dog. The possum's grin wavered a bit as the dog growled low in its throat.

Say Susan, shouted JenEllen, do you want a little possum to grill along with the hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken out at the beach tonight.

Susan poked her head out of the kitchen door, wiping her hands on her apron and looked puzzled at first, then taking in the situation, she said slowly, we el that might be right tasty.

The possum pulled his paw back through the window, rolled it up fast and hit tie gas, taking off out of the parking lot in a blue cloud of burnt rubber.

Now, Who's gonna help me load the food and drink onto the truck? said JenEllen, Oh, and please close your mouths. We don't want anyone drooling into the potato salad.