Before us...

Chapter Eleven

Saturday morning started early for Lila and Zar. Grace had given them the day off as a thank you for the previous day and they had decided to make the most of it. Instead of sitting inside as they had on previous days, they had awoken early, dressed and ate quickly, before embarking on a quest to the park to enjoy what was most likely the last nice bit of sunshine that they would see for months to come.

Currently, the two were walking off from the stoned path that ran in various directions throughout the green confines of the gated park, searching for an acceptable route that they could follow on their own for the next few minutes. Zar was leading the way, eager to chase and retrieve the fuzzy neon ball that Lila carried at her side teasing him. The people of Saratoga Springs had seemingly the same idea as there was a multitude of family's and couples out for a stroll in the warmth of the wonderful morning. As they past, a few said a passing hello to Lila as they recognised her from the store and were each rewarded with a small hello back from the girl herself.

Eventually, they came across a secluded corner at the west side of the park, choosing to remain close to the fence and away from the picnickers as Lila's aim was often a little off the mark. She dropped her bag next to her feet and ran backwards slightly to try and achieve some distance away from the excited dog (who's lead had now been added to her abandoned bag) who followed her happily wagging and waving his tail. Before he could reach her, Lila launched the ball as far away from her as she could laughing at the way Zar's head turned to follow it, his legs eventually turning him away to pelt towards the area it had bounced to retrieve and return it to his friend.

Once he had located it from the bushes which it had taken rolled under, he ran back and dropped it into Lila's waiting hand who cringed slightly at the wetness. They repeated this over and over and over with Zar flying around in odd directions to retrieve his toy, once running over a body lying in the sun as Lila sheepishly apologised to the good-humoured individual who insisted all was well.

They settled down on the dying grass, more awake than ever, and began digging into the food that Lila had prepared for them as they were leaving their home this morning. As they chomped on sandwiches and cooked meats, their heart rates slowed to a relaxed pace. Lila felt happy being outside. She had gotten tired of being in the confines of her own home over the past few weeks and the prospect of spending more time there than she needed to was daunting to her now. Remembering the days when she would spend her entire life in those few rooms, only leaving at night to take Zar on his daily walk and to do her food shop at Grace's once a week really baffled her. She had a really hard time understanding how she had remained sane.

Her mother had been right in saying that a job was what she needed. That having a purpose again, even a small one, would help her get back to a reality she once had. Zar having finished his lunch lay on his furry belly and stretched in the sun closing his eyes. She was more comfortable now that she had been a few months ago. A cheering could be heard in the distance.

Lila sat back, her hands behind her and stretched her jean clad legs out in front of her leaning her head up towards the sun, closing her eyes to better enjoy the lovely warmth on her face. The grass in between her small fingers was dry and rough but the soft bed of the soil provided a childhood comfort she had lost. Memories of handstand and cartwheel competitions in elementary school flooded her mind, a smile appearing on her face as she remembered how she often lost those but was always a strong competitor to bet on for races. She was the fastest girl in the class. Zar moved and placed his head in her lap, his eyes closing once more.

He reminded her of the dog they used to have when she was younger. The reminders of trips to the beach with her father and their dog, Zeus, brought her a nostalgic happiness, a serene belonging that seemed to be creeping back into her life. The beach had always been her happy place, particularly the burning of the sand juxtaposed with the cooling waves. Zar would like the beach, she thought, and she would think about taking him in the summer. She looked down at him, now running her fingers through his fur as he rolled and exposed his belly to her with a dazed look on his face. She gazed adoringly down at him as she obliged to his desire, the cheering echoed.