I have further proof of the familial cold, dark, black, shiveled heart. My sister and her fiance, Dan, were walking along the street in San Francisco when they were solicited by someone who appeared to be either begging for money or donations for some “cause.” The following exchange took place:

Beggar: I want to ask you today for your heart.
Dan: My heart belongs to her (referring to my sister).
Beggar: Well can I have her heart?
Dan: She has no heart. We have to go.

And then yesterday:

Mom: Those damned squirrels are eating all my figs! I have HAD IT with the damn squirrels.
Me: Well if you fed them they wouldn’t eat your figs.
Dad: FEED THEM? I’m gonna shoot them. No good damn squirrels. I’ll feed them all right. I’ll feed them arsenic!

So as you see, it’s genetic. We have no heart. It’s cold, dark and shriveled.