Sunday, November 27, 2016

running

i stepped out of that cave of a dance studio around dusk.  the air was heavy and cool.  the clouds were backlit with brilliant yellows and pinks, and with smokey greys.  i hadn't heard anything out of the ordinary, as i was concentrating on stepping around the deep pools of water in the parking lot to not get my shoes wet.  then i noticed nails on the pavement.  and suddenly, there it was.  short hair, caramel, long pointed nose.  lean, with mouth open and tongue lolling about.  uncollared. unafraid.
it looked me in the eye, then trotted towards another dancer walking to her car, as if it belonged to her.  i was startled, but i figured someone just let it off its leash. i turned and got in my car.  as i was backing out of my space, i saw it dart across my front, then out of my line of sight.  i was irritated. the last thing i wanted to do was to kill a dog on accident after dance class.  i braked and rolled slowly to avoid crushing it, if it was still there.  then, i saw it loping away from my car in my rearview mirror.  relieved.  went down the driveway.
as i started picking up speed down the street, i suddenly saw her again in my rearview, running after my car and going into a full on sprint.  it was not the face of a rabid dog, nor a playful one. her eyes were piercing and dark.  as if to say, i am running too.  take me with you.

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