My Cardboard Balcony

Short, Stout, and Happy by Belinda Roddie Short, stout, and happy was Jennifer Hyde, who lived on the west side of old town shops and abandoned railroad tracks. Beautiful was her face, red her hair, ruddy her cheeks, and very, very blue her eyes. Yes, she could barely reach the steering wheel of her car, and she carried pockets of pudge around her hips and belly, but she was a large bundle of enthusiasm. So when the handsomest guy asked her out to the prom, ev'ryone expressed such shock at the pairing, but both of them were thrilled. To meet someone who loved her just for her made Jennifer short, stout, and happier. 

A girl trying to figure out a science clue on a crossword while drinking a cider and eating a slice of four cheese pizza is trying to pet her oh-so-eager-for-scraps dog with the big toe on her left foot. Only she can't reach his head, so she ends up stroking the excess fur and skin gathered around his neck, which she and her family lovingly call a wattle. The dog does not seem to mind.