Mysterious Meeting
A light and momentary breeze tried to penetrate the large dog's fur. With the dew point reached, the night air filled with low clouds blanketing the street in front of the house where she lived. Here, in the middle of the night, there came a sound. The captive canine looked at the large, jail-like, metal gate holding her back and then beyond. The flickering street light couldn't decide if it wanted to be on or off. This made seeing what was coming even harder.
The motor slowed to an idle as the rectangular shape stopped moving when the dog could see it. With a soft click, the door of the fog disguised vehicle opened for a moment and then closed. Warm exhaust cleared the air a bit near the tailpipe. An electric whine alerted her that the window was down. The sporadic flashes from above did nothing to help identify who this was and what they wanted. After idling for a few minutes, the engine purred like a contented cat as it pulled away.
Straining her eyes the dog couldn't see through the haze to see why the driver had opened the door. Within moments, not even the opaque precipitation could cover the scent of the object in the street. She backed up to prepare to escape but checked herself. Her ear perked up and turned to the house to listen for noise. Sounds of deep breathing and snores reassured her.
Her mind's eye filled her sight with a fresh remembrance. The man who is owner's father stands over her. Nearby is owner and his friends. "Dad, we can't take Taffy to the pound!"
With compassion is his eyes he turns to the group, "I'm sorry, but if she keeps running away, I'll have no other choice."
Determination to discover the smell mixed with compulsion drives her on. With a couple of powerful strides, she bound over the six foot fence with ease. Cautiously Taffy approached the pungent object, salivating. Faded memories rushed back into disjointed clarity.
---
Four pairs of legs are under the table. Two of them swinging. She looks from one pair to the other in expectation. A dainty hand with an odorous delight slips down toward him. With a single lick, the food is gone. The hand wipes the tongue juice on her ankle length, drab, floral print dress and returns up top. She wags her tail as she waits for the other pair of legs to offer a treat.
---
Her mouth opened and her tongue rolled out, ready to devour. But a newer picture comes to her.
Owner's father and mother put their arms around him from either side. "It will be alright, son. Sam is a strong boy. He'll get better."
The other speaks, "And he has God watching over him, just like you do."
Owner turns to his parents. "I know, Mom. But I can't help but think that's it's my fault for not stopping him from eating that poisoned sandwich."
His mom squeezes him a little tighter, "You couldn't have known."
"If I'd have seen Hazel and her gang nearby smirking, I would have figured it out." His head drops cutting off his words.
His father leans in, "Son, you have to stop blaming yourself."
Suddenly suspicious, Taffy's ears high and eyes alert, she searched for any rumbling car or quiet person. Not finding anything out of the ordinary, she turned her eyes to the garlic and onion cookie. She smelled the delicacy for foreign smells other than the natural organic ones.
Finding none, she gobbled up the cookie, and the memory grew stronger with the other pair of swinging legs giving her a scrap from the table. Despite the visual obstacle, the lingering aroma of more drew a bright red line for her nose.
Blindly she chased the smell, hope swelling. Buildings flew by in a blur of unimportance. Turns, streets, cars became invisible. Only one thing mattered, getting to the cookies and the holder of them.
But as she charged forward a different memory returned. Running this path was familiar. Asphalt became dirt. Sidewalks morphed into grass. A plain emerged all around her. Up ahead were trees, her safety.
---
The two girls, older now, chase behind her. "Sugar! Sugar! Slow down!"
But there is no stopping her. She runs on intent on never returning. She'll be safe in the trees. She knows it.
Far from their home, the younger one slows, winded. "Sugar, it'll be okay. Come back."
Sugar continues on, frantic, with the older sister in pursuit. "He didn't mean it. It'll get better." Then she pleads while breathing hard, "Please stop, Sugar."
Their efforts are futile as she plunges in, disappearing from their sight. One at a time as they reach the forest, they enter as well. Sugar avoids them. Eventually, at dusk, they give up and return home.
---
Panting, Taffy slowed to a stop before the very same trees. Her fur damp from dew and sweat looked like pulled sugar. Nearby was the car that matched the shape from before. Its window was open. Garlic and onion odors poured out. However, a more appealing smell drew her towards the shadowy figure in the trees.
There a few feet in front of the comfortable pumps and pants suit was a small heap of peppermints. Taffy sniffed the pile, suspicious like before. She eyed the one nearby.
The woman stepped forward. Light caught her face. She was an old, caring business professional. The face looked familiar. "Sugar? Is that you?" Sensing no malicious intent, Taffy ate some of the candy. "It IS you! I've missed you so much."
With a simple gesture, her business jacket was shrugged off and gray wig was peeled off. She wiped her face with a cloth from her purse and the wrinkles were gone. Taffy immediately recognized the young girl as his long ago companion. Sugar padded over to her side and rubbed her leg. "It's good to see you, too. He really messed us up, huh?"
She petted the matted hair as she continued her monologue with the contented pet, "How long has it been? Fifty years? A hundred? It seems like forever."