Member-only story
I Never Told You But
Trevor followed Simone as she dragged herself across the living room. He saw her brown ponytail fly when she flumped onto the sofa. She was breathing hard, and fear and confusion were etched on her face. He felt exhausted as he melted into the recliner.
“Trev, I’ve never seen Boss like that. It scared me to see him so frantic. Usually, nothing rattles him, but Boss had trouble speaking, trying to figure out what happened. Manfred was so weak and helpless, almost lifeless. Poor puppy didn’t make a sound. Boss hurt his back, lifting the ninety-pound animal off the floor. We should have figured out something easier to get the dog into the car to take to the vet.”
“It was scary seeing poor Manfred struggling to get from his bed only to spin and collapse,” admitted Trevor. “We barely got him loaded on a blanket outside before he had another potty accident.” Tears filled his eyes. “Manfred was trying but wobbling around like getting off a high-speed merry-go-round. I was afraid, too.”
On the verge of tears, she said, “I don’t know who I felt sorrier for, Manfred or Boss. Annie kept shouting at the computer and her phone, trying to find a vet open on New Year’s Day. I heard Boss yell he’d go to Oklahoma to find a clinic if he had to. I’ve never heard him use all those words he won’t let us say. And he used them all in one sentence.”
