Desolation Boulevard

9: The Pet

I kept digging and found the wolf stuck under rocks. When I tried to get them off, it growled. So I walk away and when it's not looking, I move to the back of the wolf. I remove rocks slowly and make sure the wolf doesn't know. Before you know it, I removed most of the rocks that were on top of wolf. When he tries to get up, the rocks fall off him, making a loud racket. Well, we are alone. So... Anyway, once he gets out of the rocks, his gray fur plops down onto the snow. Considering his appearance, he hasn't eaten lately. He is freakishly thin. Well, when I was removing the rocks, I found one that was sharp enough to be a knife. I also found the sun is setting and I haven't have dinner. So I walk away from the wolf and half an hour later, I come with myself, struggling, to carry an elk on my shoulders. Another ten minutes later, I make a fire and get two short sticks and one long stick to roast the elk. As it roasts, I occasionally turn it and in the time, make a hole for me. When the elk is done roasting, I eat some, I save some, and I give some to the wolf, which is unbelievably thin. He eats it and to my interpretation of body language, he is still very hungry. I give him 2 more servings and he stops doing his "Feed me more" body language. Before I go to sleep, I turn on the radio. It is playing "Better Man" by Leon Bridges. I starting along. You can judge me, I don't care.
"What can I do? What can I do?
To get back to your heart
I'd swim the Mississippi river
If you would give me another start, girl". After that, I turn it off and go into the hole. Right before I close it though, the wolf gets up from next to the fire and jumps into the hole. As I make a snow blanket, I say," What should I name you. Dave? Nah. I will name you by morning." Then, I go to sleep.