16
SUNDAY MORNING, LUELLA awoke to the familiar sensation of a wet tongue licking her face. She smiled and wrapped her arms around her poufy Pomeranian, and felt happier than she’d felt in ages.
And then she remembered that Noodles was no more.
This had to be a dream.
Sure enough, she woke up alone.
She shifted out of bed and every joint creaked. Had to be reality. Why would she dream of being old and alone when she could dream of being free from all pain?
As soon as she caught sight of her ragged appearance in the mirror, memories of the previous night flattened her like a steamroller.
How could she have spoken to Chandelle with such bile?
How could she have confessed her darkest secrets to another living being?
How could she have let the only blossoming friendship of her enti
