Something is wrong.
"I don't understand how this could even happen...I mean, weren't they with him all night?"
The woman is crying. I sit on the floor with my head lowered. She hasn't spoken in a while. The man is pacing the floor and I stay out of his way. But I want to comfort him! I want to lick their faces and tell him it will be alright! But what if it isn't alright? I can feel it...something is very wrong.
"He was jus' here! I jus' talked to him an' now...." My owner leaves us alone and I hear a door slam. I wince. I stand up and limp towards the door. Maybe if I scratch at it he'll let me in.
"Charlie!"
I turn and see the woman holding her hand out. I limp to her instead and she picks me up and sets me on her lap. She buried her face in my fur and I get wet. Her gentle hands stroke my back and I can feel her long nails. I stay right where I am.
"Let's leave Mal to himself...for a little bit, okay?"
I keep my eyes on the door. Is my owner hurt? What's happened to everyone?
**********
My owner sits on the couch holding the telephone. His leg is shaking. I sit and watch him. The woman is in the room now and the door is still closed. I don't dare wag my tail.
"Hi, Mrs. Scott?"
He keeps his eyes on the floor. I look down there but I don't see anything. I wish I knew what was wrong so I could make them feel better. As a dog it's my job to make humans smile and laugh and feel better. To make them feel loved the way my human makes me feel loved.
"No, I...I was actually callin' about...about Bon..."
He looks so sad! I'm sad! I want to whine, I want to howl! What's going on? I want to go home, I want my Mum! I want to hear the man play his guitar! I want to lick his face and make him smile! I start chewing on my leg.
I must chew. I must chew and lick and bite and gnaw. I must scratch myself and sneeze. And I must always keep my tail still. This is no time for foolish wagging. I must keep it still no matter what.
I jump when my owner slams the telephone down. He covers his face with his hands and I can't see him anymore. I wait for him. I wait for him to say something. Anything. My fur twitches. My ears twitch and my nose twitches. I can smell the salt from his crying. He looks up at me with a wet face. He holds his hand out for me to sniff and I limp to him. I lick his hand and he gives me pets and scratches.
"Bon's gone, Charlie. Bon's gone..."
