You're right, of course. The horse is free the barn already; no sense closing the door behind it. [She doesn't, despite Kitty's clear horror, really sound any more concerned than she had to begin with.] But the effect is much the same, I think you know. In the sense that the only option any of us have is to endear ourselves one way or another to those about us and trust that will be enough to protect us should the very worst come to pass.

What local friends have you made, Kitty?