Sarah Goes to Paris

A Short Story

It was a crisp spring morning in the suburbs of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and Sarah was sitting on the front porch enjoying her morning coffee and toast. On the front lawn, her Pugapoo pups, Mocha and Chiko, were doing their business in the glistening grass.

Sarah was scrolling through her social media, absentmindedly taking a bite of her toast and sending crumbs down the front of her shirt. She glanced at her feet to find Chiko whimpering and staring at her toast. His tiny paws, which he had placed on the top of her slippers, were wet with dew.

Mocha took notice of what Chiko was doing and bounded up to him. She batted at him with her paws, barking as if to say, 'Mama doesn't like it when you beg! Cut it out!'

But Chiko tossed Mocha off to the side and went right back to gazing hungrily at the toast in his mama's hand. He could not help himself! The human food smelled so good that it sent Chiko into a frenzy of little hops and wiggles.

Sarah quickly finished her breakfast and brought the dogs back inside to give them theirs. As the dogs happily wolfed down their kibbles and bits, Sarah changed into her work clothes. By day, she was a mild-mannered x-ray technician, but by night, she was a wild and elegant burlesque dancer. It was her art; the dance studio was where she went to feel free and empowered.

Recently, Sarah had begun recording her journey as a dancer on Instagram. Mixed among pictures of Mocha and Chiko were photographs of Sarah, frozen in moments of joy and strength as she danced.

Later that same day, as she updated her profile, an AD flashed in front of her face, one that showcased a trip to the famous Moulin Rouge, where one lucky winner could earn the chance to see a show and attend a dance lesson taught by the esteemed Madame Gladiolus herself.

Sarah was so overwhelmed with excitement that she let out a yelp! Startled, Mocha and Chiko began barking at her with confusion. They stared at Sarah as she danced happily around the living room, phone held firmly to her chest.

To see the Moulin Rouge in person and be taught by THE master burlesque dancer within its hallowed halls would be an absolute dream come true, not to mention a great honour.

It would be foolish of Sarah to think she could win, but with the prizes at stake, what would be the harm in entering?

After weeks of waiting anxiously for the day of the draw, the day finally came. Sarah tentatively checked her Instagram and found a message awaiting her, informing her that she had won the trip!

The prize consisted of an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Paris for Sarah and a guest of her choice. Sarah pondered this for a moment- who should she bring? She did not have a partner, and even though she had plenty of friends who would jump at the chance to visit Paris, the best choice, she thought, was to bring her beloved puppies on this adventure as her guests.

Sarah emailed the contest moderators and asked if she could substitute the guest for two small puppies. To Sarah's surprise and joy, they agreed. Overcome with more excitement, Sarah, again, started dancing around her living room. Clearly, Sarah's joy manifesting into dance was something that happened quite often. Mocha and Chiko never let an opportunity to dance with their mama go by, and they cheerfully jumped around her heels as she spun across the floor.

Days of prepping and packing flew by, and Sarah, Mocha and Chiko headed to the airport, hopped on their plane and flew to Paris.

They arrived early in the morning, so after checking in to their hotel, the trio spent the rest of their day visiting famous sites: they stood under the Eiffel Tower, strolled along the Champs-Elysees, admired the Arc de Triomphe and hiked their way to Ile de la Cite, the river-island where the Notre Dame Cathedral was located. Unfortunately, the Notre Dame had been closed off after a fire had damaged it, but there was still much to see and do in the rest of Paris.