Branches Book

BRANCHES

leaves to where she came from. I run back down to the door and outside to see if he is there. No sign of him. 11:07 a.m. I need to figure out how I can be with him. I see Master walking down stairs with her big bags. Otis and I look at each other, knowing what this means: she is leaving. I don’t understand where she goes without us. I look at the door again and proceed to walk outside. I see it. His nose. I run over and stand right in front of him. “Hi,” I say timidly. His eyes light up. “Hi! I’m Troy! You are tiny and cute and I love you. I have a ball do you want to see my ball!” Wow, that was a lot. I wasn’t expecting that much energy from someone that looks so calm and tough. “I’m Amos. I have wanted to talk to you for a long time now and now I finally am. I think about you all the time.” I am surprised at how much I am saying. “Yeah, I think about squirrels the same way. With more hatred, of course.” I look down at the ground. This is not what I wanted at all. I thought he would feel the same way. He spoke up again, “Have you ever been to the park?” “Yes, of course, I have been to the park.” “Have you been in a car?” “What’s a car?” He starts howling with laughter. Now that’s just mean. I look at him and am surprised how this was going. Poorly. I tell him I have to go. I walk into the house whimpering as I sat on the softness. 11:30 a.m. Master didn’t take us with her like she usually does. Otis and I stand in the middle of the room. I hate when she doesn’t bring us. I get so lonely. Otis won’t talk to me, I don’t even know if he has the ability to talk because I never hear him. Otis howls in sadness. I do as well, but for a different reason. 12:44 p.m. All I can do is stare at the door. Why doesn’t he love me like I love him? Everybody loves me. I can’t let it end this way. Nothing has even started! I walk outside for what could be our last talk. I hear him barking away, not a care in the world. I bark loudly to make him aware of my presence. “Troy. I need to say this. I want to be with you. I know I have only seen very little of you and don’t really know your feelings but I know in my body that I have to be with you. I like bones and food and balls and I don’t really like to play but if you do I will and I like Master and the others and my bed and sleeping and a lot of food and I hate squirrels and most other people like us and that’s why you’re so special because I don’t hate you, I love you!”

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