Elena
“Oreo!” I shout with a speckle of cheer. I reserved it only for the dark curly-haired labradoodle prancing towards me from his warm cushion beneath the sunlit window.
Kneeling, I wrap my arms around the slender neck of the dog while his whole body shakes side to side from his happy tail.
“Are you a good boy?” He licks my face in response. Of course, he’s a good boy – it’s a rhetorical question. No matter how wet or slimy his kisses are, I’ll never tire of them.
I stand and pat his head as I make my way to the all too familiar wingback chair of Reverend Viper’s office. The fragrance of sweet apple pie fills my nose – this office always smells and feels like home. It’s comfortable here. Once I’m seated, Oreo flops down at my feet staring up at me with adoration and a pink tongue.
