Tasha

I sprung out of bed and looked around frantically eyes wide and heart beating faster than a cheetah. It took me time to realize that the loud music that was blaring into my left ear was from the alarm I had set on my phone. I reached over, picked up my phone and switched of the music. I must have fallen asleep while using my phone. Still, could someone explain to me why my alarm was ringing on a Sunday?! I slipped my phone into the pocket of my sweatpants and redid my messy bun as I walked into my washroom to do my morning routine. After doing the needful I walked out to go make myself some coffee. As I walked past my bed I spotted Cuddles, my 3 month Saint Bernard sleeping comfortably on my pillow. “Come on boy!” I called after him as I exited my room. I walked down the flight of stairs and made my way to the kitchen. I switched on the coffeemaker and walked over to the fridge to get out a carton of vanilla flavored almond milk and caramel sauce. I placed them on the counter top and reached up to the overhead cabinet and got out my unicorn mug. It was a plain white cup with the quote “Unicorns are awesome. I am awesome therefore I am a unicorn!” with a pink cartoon unicorn. After placing the cup next to my other ingredients I opened my fridge again and grabbed the tin can that consisted of dog food that i had totally forgotten and placed it on the cabinet. Cuddles sat by the entrance wagging his tail as his eyed his breakfast. The coffeemaker made a clicking sound and the smell of coffee filled the air making me break into the biggest grin. After making myself a cup of vanilla caramel coffee I made my way to the couch. I sat down on the couch with my legs up on the coffee table and grabbed the remote for the television. Cuddles jumped up the couch and made himself comfortable next to me and placed his head on my lap. I placed the remote by my side and stroked Cuddles a few times. I gave him a kiss on his forehead and picked up the remote once more. I began flipping through the channels while sipping on my piping hot caramel coffee when the doorbell rang. Cuddles got up and made a dash for the door. I giggled at Cuddles enthusiasm and made my way towards the front door. I open the door to see Dave standing there with his signature smile. “Hey Tash!” Dave said enthusiastically. Dave or rather bear is my postman. He delivers letters to my neighborhood. I met him a month ago. I was sitting at the airport entrance flipping through the yellow pages frantically. I didn’t have anywhere to go and I was looking for a place to stay. He approached me to ask me if I was alright and I ended up explaining my whole situation to a random stranger. For some reason this ‘complete stranger’ felt like a brother to me. Which is also why I call him bear as in Brother bear. Maybe it was his concern voice, or maybe his worry filled chocolate eyes that reminded me of Daisy when she knew I was sick or was stressed. Daisy’s my little sister. Although this is something Daisy didn't know. According to Daisy i was her mother. My mum died when she was just 5 due to an illness which meant mum was in the hospital most of the time and me babysitting her. Thus why she calls me mummy. i did end up adopting her a year ago so she is legally my daughter. She’s 8 years old now and currently out with her school camping. Daisy was one of the main reasons Bear decided to help us. I can never forget how he sat next to me with Daisy on his lap as he told us about his profession and told us that someone he knew was selling their house. In short, thanks to Bear I have a roof over my head that to a beautiful one. “Hey bear!” I returned the greeting. He then knelt down to pat Cuddles but instead got jumped at by Cuddles. There I stood laughing at my brother from another mother as he lay on his back while Cuddles attacked his face with kisses. I bent over and picked up Cuddles with all my strength. For 3 months Cuddles was HUGE! He weighed 35 pounds! I placed him next to my feet and told him to stay and be a good boy before turning back and wrapping my arms around Bear in a bone crushing hug. “How is my little sissy??” he asked as he pulled his hands away from around my shoulders. “I’m fine bear” I replied. Bear then proceeded to hand me a bunch of letters. I rummaged through them in search of a very important creamed colored envelope that had the power to change my life. “Looking for this??” Dave taunted mischievousness coating his voice. I turned around to see Bear waving a letter in the air above himself. Not just any letter, THE letter. I jumped up and down in an attempt to grab the cream envelope that had a university logo on the top right. Bear is 6”while I am 5”5 saying I was short was an understatement. I practically looked like a kid that was trying to place the golden star on top of a Christmas tree. I stopped jumping and stood there with my arms crossed over my body. I had the greatest idea. I gave Bear the cutest puppy eyes I could muster and a trembling lip. “pweese!” I asked Bear trying my best to sound as cute as I could. “Oh come on not the puppy eyes!!!” Bear complained with his dashing smile still in place. He then brought his hands down and handed me the letter. “YES!” I exclaimed as I thrusted my fist is the air. I took the letter with trembling hands. I gulped as I eyed the letter. I felt Bear’s hand on my shoulder and turned to see him giving me a reassuring smile. “Go on...” he encouraged me. I opened the letter feeling anxiety building up in my stomach. I pulled out the letter from the envelope and begin reading it. My eyes grew wide as I reached the end of the letter. Tears overflowed and started to drip down my cheeks. My hand lost grip and let go of the paper causing it to fall gracefully towards the ground. my palms made its way to my mouth as I tried to relive what I just read.