I came up with this while out on my walk tonight. Thanks goodness for give or take as needed. 511 words. Doubt I could get it down to 400 no matter how hard I try. jon Lucy Jon M. Strother What's the sign say? the girl asked as my father drove in a staple. Says we found a dog. He punched in another. Her face brightened. I scowled. What kind of dog? A Rottweiler. Female. She began bouncing on the balls of her feet. I glared, trying to will her away. Did she have a collar? Yes. What color? Red. It's Lucy! It's just gotta be Lucy! My face was a stark contrast to hers. Well, my dad said driving in the final staple, we'll go get her. If she's yours, then we'll have a happy reunion. Where do you live? Over there. She started running for home shouting for joy as she went. My dad gathered me by the shoulder and guided me back to the car. I glared at him but managed to force back the tears. When dad informed mom that we had found the dog's home the look of relief on her face was like a stab in the heart. She had wanted to call the pound immediately, but dad had argued for the signs, a delaying tactic really, for he did not have it in his heart to do such a thing. And it would give me time to win mom over. But we never even finished putting them up! Dad got an old belt and looped it through her collar. I refused to stay home, certain that if I went along, somehow I could avert the coming calamity. We walked her home, about three blocks. It was the longest walk of my life. As soon as we got within sight of the girl's house Lucy started wagging her tail and pulling hard on the leash. Cries of Lucy's home! Lucy's home! broke from the porch as three children rushed to meet her. The father of the house came out and shook my dad's hand with vigor and looked at me with pity in his eye. But as I watched Lucy being drawn back into the home she had lost I knew in my heart we had done the right thing. Still, it hurt. I ate little that night and went to bed straight away. Later, dad came in and sat on the edge of my bed. I'm sorry son. But Lucy had a good home and she's best off back with them. I know. I mumbled. You forgive me? I don't know if he heard my reply. I did. I had come to terms. He bent over to brush the tears away. He was surprised to find my cheeks dry. Can we get a dog? I yearned. Maybe someday. He rose and headed for the door. You want the door open? No, closed. He left it open just a crack as he went out. About a year later I finally got my dog. Dad had worked hard on mom. Mom got her way when she insisted that it be a more appropriate breed. It was a Beagle. I named her Lucy, of course. Lucy was the best dog I've ever had.

 
~jon
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