The neighbor bought a real goat.

He mentioned it three times. I had only asked about the elevator.

The goat has papers. He brought them out in a folder. I said it looked healthy. He said that wasn’t the point. I had gathered that.

It ate the corner of the folder while he was explaining the lineage. I liked it a little more after that.

He asked how my sheep was doing. I said fine. It was standing behind me, very still, making the faint clicking sound it makes when the temperature drops.

I told him it was chewing.

Later I sat with it until the heater came on. I know what it is. I still don’t like leaving it out in the cold.