This is a One Shot I wrote that I have been planning to send to STone Soup (the magazine). Because of so, I gladly accept constructive critisism and other comments. Thank you, and pelase enjoy!
Treasured Forever by CollarGirl aka a name that starts with R The car bumped and jerked over the road, the wheels grinding the street. Mom was singing tunes from her favorite radio station, my dad next to her (driving), and my sister Cheyenne casually rocking on her ipod. I was in the backseat, a tiny puppy nestled in my lap, its usual perky face now peacefully drooped. He was a Rottweiler puppy named Puddles. Now barely months old, but I loved him dearly. Puddles cranked his mouth open and yowled a tremendous yawn. Giggling, I scooped up the puppy in my arms and held him tight, tight, tight. He was my puppy, the very first dog I had ever owned. My dog. And I was proud of that. I kissed the top of his black, furry head, and he licked my nose in return. I smiled. All of a sudden, a blue minivan swerved right towards us. The two cars collided, ours and theirs. Cheyenne screamed, as did my mother. I wasnt sure if my dad was breathing as we skidded down the road. Worse, as we crashed into a fir tree, Puddles flew out of my arms. It all happened so quickly I didnt see where he landed. Puddles! I squealed loudly, about to click my seatbelt off and go after him. But my mother shouted for me to stay put as our automobile tumbled down the road. I thought wed flip over, but luckily, we didnt. I tried to remain calm. But it seemed impossible to when I had lost my dog during a car crash and my dad was barely breathing. My mom suddenly jerked the car to a halt, slamming down the brakes. Once the last swift movement had stopped, she sobbed into her sleeve. Cheyenne seemed shocked and shaken, and I noticed her ipod resting under my dads seat. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and dove over the seat where my sister sat, puzzled as I slid past her. Puddles? I yelled, almost wailing. Almost at once I saw a tiny brown paw poking out from under moms seat. Oh my gosh, Puddles is trapped! I screamed as I pushed my way past bundles of books and clothes packed for our trip. His small paw now just weakly scratched the fuzzy carpeting on the car floor, and I held my breath. The faint murmur of my dogs breathing stopped. I panicked. Puddles is dying, Puddles is dying My mind chanted. Gulping quickly, I plopped down beside the puppy paw and dug under the seat, finding papers and used tissues, and even some paper dolls I thought I had lost. But now was not the time to welcome them. I dug until I felt warm fur. I felt it slightly stiffen when I clutched it. I was practically bawling as I tugged at Puddless neck. I felt his body shift, then halt. He was stuck. Now I was really sweating, I mean really. And to think just twenty minutes before we were just happily cruising down the road, ready for a week in the great outdoors. Now I was in a wrecked car with my hand stuffed under a seat which was desperately trying to yank my dog out. I felt tiny wet droplets of fear begin to dribble down my cheeks as I pulled some more. Puddles wasnt coming out. I grasped his neck fur again, clutching it tight, tight, tight, and gave a hard tug. My dog edged closer through the piles of trash nesting under the seat. I couldnt help but start sobbing right there in the car. I couldnt get him out. He needed help right away, and I couldnt save him. I gave a silent prayer to God, asking for all his support and love. Then I continued. Pulling with all my might, I was able to yank him closer. So close, in fact, I saw his black tail weakly wagging at me. My heart lifted. Puddles! I exclaimed as I tugged his bright blue collar once more. He popped out, weary and exhausted. As soon as I saw the sleeping puppy safely sprawled on the floor, I collapsed. When I woke up after a peaceful resting, the first thing I saw was a coarse pink tongue ready to lick my nose. Puddles! I sighed contently. He planted a few licks on me. Stop that! Giggling, I brushed the dirt off of my jacket and sat up. I immediately knew something was definitely wrong. I wasnt in our car. The room was white all over and had children in little beds surrounding me. A pure white sheet was tucked under my chin. The hospital, I thought. Suddenly, I gulped. Am I hurt? And then an even more frightening thought struck me. Wheres dad? Did he die? Nothing mattered just then. Nothing, as long as my family was safe. I threw off the covers and zoomed out of the childrens room. A nurse saw me. Miss? Where do you think youre going? she questioned me. To find dad, I thought again. After what seemed forever, I burst into the waiting room. It was empty. Mom? I asked softly. Cheyenne? Dad? I sat on a padded chair and sobbed. Suddenly, I felt a comforting wetness on my leg. Bending over, I saw my puppy Puddles rasping his tongue over my ankle. I grinned a little, wiping tears from my eyes. The nurse from before then walked in, her blonde hair pinned up in a soft bun. She sat down next t me. Her name tag said Clara. Wheres my dad? I immediately demanded. Take me to him! She stared at me, I think she understood everything. Nicki, she whispered, ever so softly I barely heard it. My chin crinkled. Is hedead? I choked out, beginning to bawl. She just stared at me again, her eyes clouded with pain and sorrow. She slowly, ever so slowly, turned her head away from me. Then, with a deep breath, she nodded. I ran for the door. The tears arrived then, spilling out of my eyes like an avalanche. I kept dumping more and more until they were all gone, so I just hiccupped and ran farther instead. I darted over to a lonely bench, a bird dropping planted on the right side. I sat on the left. Then I winced, for something was nipping at my heels. I knew who it was. Puddles, go away! I yelled harshly. He didnt move. Go! I kicked him, and he whimpered and scrammed. Seeing him race away just made me bawl harder. He plowed into the street, scarcely dodging a truck, and I found myself worried. How would my puppy survive out there? A voice in my head interrupted me. Hes not your puppy anymore, It whispered. Youre free, Puddles. I said softly. But I wasnt glad. I spent some wasteful time thinking on that bench. I thought about my fathers loving arms wrapping tightly around me, his calming voice comforting me. The vision vanished when I remembered that he wasnt here anymore, but it would be treasured forever. Then I thought of Puddles. I thought way back to when I first got him. It was Christmas, and I was opening the last neatly wrapped gift. It was a computer game. Holding back tears, I thanked my parents kindly, remembering how slim the chances for owning a puppy were. Then my dad pulled another present out of the closet. I still could feel the hope and joy as I gently lifted the lid. Puddles poked his head out. He had a beautiful velvet bow tied around his neck, and I smiled wide and laughed. It was your fathers idea, I remember mom informing me. The dream disappeared into thin air. My dad wanted me to keep Puddles and feed him, play with him, love him. And I just let him go. My legs suddenly stood, and they began to run. My mouth called for my Rottweiler puppy. Puddles, Puddles! I shouted. I heard no clicking claws scratching the sidewalk like I usually heard when he ran to me. Just silence. Oh Puddles, did I just let go of you forever? I continued to run and call, praying the puppy would show up. After I had ran many miles, I leaned over and panted. Suddenly, I felt my leg get wet, and I got goose bumps form the sharp, cold object clinging to me. My heart lifted as I whirled around and scooped up my dog, hugging him tight, tight, tight. I shoved my face into his soft flat fur, saying my silent thanks to God. Dad was probably looking down on me right now, proud as he should be, and I grinned towards the sky. Im glad I made you proud, dad. I said out loud. I knew he heard me. Then a car pulled over beside me and there was Mom and Cheyenne, their faces tear strained but lovable. Come on, Nicki. I heard Cheyenne call, so I did, Puddles tucked under my arm, and we rode back home. As I was hugging my puppy, I realized dads gift to me was exactly what I needed to survive this tragic event. I smiled at my dog. Treasured forever, I thought. Puddles yipped in agreement.
The " " arn't there becuz of the site. Also, the large spaces are the paragraph barkes becuz it wouldn't let me have paragraphs.
-- Edited by CollarGirl at 21:36, 2007-07-05
-- Edited by CollarGirl at 18:50, 2007-07-07
-- Edited by CollarGirl at 18:54, 2007-07-07
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It's June 2019. I came back to delete my signature of Ryan Ross doing cocaine (not that I am the one who put it there).
I loved it!
