Shhhh.
What?
I thought I heard gunshots, Jerry said.
Looking for answers, Hershey raises her ears and rushes to peer downstairs into a basement soaked in darkness. The answers aren't down there. Answers and understanding don't happen in lightless voids where ordinary things like misplaced coffee mugs, a dog leash, or a chewed rubber bone become unfamiliar, strange, and slightly frightening. Even in dreams there is light. We see. We understand. By morning the spell breaks.
Hershey's tail wags with reservation. I wonder what she learns from the sooty black emptiness.
Like rain splashing against dry leaves, our fireplace crackles. Jerry talks to Lily who sits in front of him with her red collar gaping around her skinny neck.
Hi Lili, Lily hi.
I can't stay awake anymore, but the day was busy good busy busy busy.