My lost dog.
There was a worried look on Mary White's face that evening. She looked out the window. The Moonlight had just reached the streets of Mahapac. New York. It was
a small, quiet town up in the mountains.
"Mom, where's Renney?" said Melanie White.
" Renney ran out of the yard." said Mary.
" Can I go look for him?" said Melanie.
"No. you have to go to school tomorrow. Your father is
out looking for him now." said Mary.
"You are still going to tuck me in and read me a story e right?" said Melanie
"Yes. But you mean read you story and then tuck you in
I will be right in after I check on your little brother." said
Mary.
Mary looked in on her son. He was sleeping peacefully.
She thought about her life. She was in her middle thirties. She had been married to her husband for ten years. The had two children. Their daughter was six years old and their son two.
She walked into her daughter's room. She smiled at the
pink theme of it. She read her the favorite book.
She began tucking her in tight.
:Mom. can you wake me up when Renney comes back?"
said Melanie.
"No. sorry baby I love him too. But you need your sleep."
Good night. sleep tight." said Mary
"Good night mommy." said Melanie.
She did not want to promise her daughter something she could not guarantee. Renney could be anywhere by now.
He might come back okay and might not. That would be worse. She kissed her daughter goodnight. She turned the light out and closed the door. Sbe reflected on her life. Her husband was a good man. And a great father
They had few extended family around them there.
But they were close to each other. Her phone rang.
It was her husband.
"Hi ...Okay. ...I know you looked for him everywhere.
I can't think of anywhere else he would go. I am okay.
Okay bye love you too." said Mary
She leaned into the bay window in the living room.
She sighed as one single tear fell out of her right eye.
Renney was a gift from her late mom. That was
nearly 9 years ago. It was a home warming gift for
her first apartment. He had seen her thru a lot.
The death of her parents to start. She heard her
husband's car in the driveway. She wiped her face.
Sorry hon. he'll probably come back when he's ready.
He's just hanging out." said Paul White, her husband.
'Yeah" said Mary
"'Are you okay?" said Paul
"Yeah" said Mary
'That doesn't sound like it" said Paul
" I will be okay" said Mary
" We should both get some rest. Early start for us
tomorrow. " said Paul.
" I will not be able to sleep. I am going to make some
lost dog signs on the computer." Said Mary
" Do you want some help?" said Paul
,"No but thanks. You have a long day tomorrow.:
said Mary
" Okay" said Paul
"Goodnight" said Mary
"Goodnight try to get some rest' said Paul.
He gave her a hug and kiss before going to bed. She
worked on the signs until around 3 a.m. Then she too
went to bed.
The next morning her alarm clock and the both woke her
up at the same time. It was 6 a.m. Who could be calling them that early?
'Hello...what he's there. On the back porch stretched
out like old times....I can't believe he found the house
from here. No. I will come get him on my lunch hour.
Thanks sorry. Don,'t spoil him to much,: said Mary
She thought that Renney did not stop amazing her.
Years ago when she lived near a secret woman's
domestic house in the neighborhood. Renney had
caught the eye of one of the woman there on their everyday walks pass the house. She let him pet him.
Then she met the director. Renney became a
unofficial cheer up dog. She would take him there on
off days to visit the woman and children. He brought
smiles to everyone there.
After while Mary opened up to her own pain. She
experienced domestic violence with her college
boyfriend. But she never told anyone. When she
graduated and came back home the relationship
ended. She was fortunate to be able to leave the
state. She joined some of the group sessions of
counseling. It helped her. Her husband knew.
"Hon. wake up. Renney's at the Sussie's shelter on
Maple street." said Mary
'Wbat?" said Paul
'You were right. My friend just called me. He went all
the way to the shelter last night. She said they would
spoil him there till I get there." said Mary
'I guess he missed those times there." said Paul
They both shook their heads laughing. She went to
wake Melanie and tell her the good news. But she
was already awake.
"We found Renney baby. I am going to get him soon
He will be here when you get home from school.:
said Mary.
She drove to her old neighborhood. It was a sentimental
journey of sorts. This was where she got the call her
mother had died. A year later found out her father had
a fatal heart attack. All while trying to heal from. the
secret violence.
She looked up at the sky thru her skyroof at a red lit.
The blue sky was crystal clear. There was not a white
cloud in the sky. Just like her life now. It was not perfect
but it had clarity of heart.
She parked in the driveway because there was only one road up the mountain. and one down. She smiled at the
ladies relaxing watching their kids play outside. Susie
came out the front door.
" Mary. how are you? Your run away dog is insjde."
said Sussie.
"I am good. You look good. How is everything." said
Mary
'Not going to complain." said Susie
They went inside. Renney was in the living room. Two
children were petting him. He did not move when Mary
first walked in.
'Okay Renney. tell your new friends goodbye." said Mary
He started wagging his tail. The little girl started to cry.
Renney gently locked her face. The little girl's mother
started crying too.
" I am so sorry." said Mary
"No you don't understand this is the first time since I left
that she's shown any emotion. First the smile with your dog and now the tears. Thank you." said the woman.
'I do understand. I am a survivor myself: said Mary
'Can I ask you something privately in my office?" said
Susie
"Yeah. but I have to drop him home and get back to work."
said.
"Only take a minute." said Susie
A few minutes later .Mary and Renney were about to leave. .Mary went to the little girl and her mother.
'Renney will be back from time to time to visit you"ll."
said Mary
"Promise?" said the little girl.
"Promise" said Mary.
The little girl's mother jumped out of her seat to hug
Mary. A few tears fell in the room.
:"How are you healing really?" said Susie
'I am getting better. I have my scars. But I have a
patient and understanding husband. " said .Mary.
'You are blessed." said Sussie
:Yes. I am. See you next week on my day off." Said Mary.
They hugged goodbye. Later on that afternoon Mary
was waiting for her daughter at the bus stop.
'Renney. renney." yelled her daughter.
Renney started barking for her even before she got off
the bus. Their reunion brought tears of joy from. Botb
of Mary's eyes. Yes. she thought truly thankful to be
alive and blessed.
Comments