"It's not right!" he almost shouted. "I don't want to be special, I don't want to be wonderful. I just," he emphasised each word, "want to be normal."...He drew into the hug."What is normal?" I said; at times like this you resort to cliches."Don't give me that," he snapped, pulling himself away. "My parents are normal. All the people who live down my street are normal. For fuck's sake, even you're normal. I'm not; I'm a freak." Oh, you're not-" I started, but got cut off again."I want to cut my. Rory gobbled down the last of the mess in his food bowl. He was well aware of how he was regarded by others - the humans, as he thought of these Godlike beings who brought him food and water and who punished him when he transgressed. He bore them no resentment; had he not always wanted to be an animal, free of human conventions and inhibitions, free of responsibility and choice? Of course he was kept naked; of course he wore a collar around his neck and could be walked on a leash, chained up or. "Myra asked me last week. It was so romantic--she got down on one knee and everything," he giggled. "Oh, it's so wonderful. I can hardly believe it! Mrs. Howie Banks! I've already started practicing writing my new name. There are so many things to do! I have to find a dress, and the bridesmaids' dresses-Jeffie's going to be my Maid of Honor-there's so much to plan, but I love it!" he gushed happily.Ralphie smiled as Howie did his nails and chattered on. It was most important day in a. I also told her that I would do anything if she did not tell her boys and especially my parents. I would never live it down, I told her. She just shook her head and agreed. She told me that WE need to understand why I did this and if I fully co-operate with her, again she would tell nobody. She said that she found it kind of sweet and very interesting. I told her that certainly I would do everything she told me. Sally smiled and said that was a great answer and added that this could even be fun.