Crushed

No sleep with no dog, never again maybe, is no good. The light came, cloudy but okay. I ate, I think, have to eat. It was early, but not crazy early. I hit the trail, expecting to find my buddy among the quiet, sleeping, maybe down by the water. I knew she was gone now. I just wanted her to be sleeping, forever would probably be better by now.

The trail we walked hundreds of times was all mine now, solo. My eyes kept at the shore then all around. My voice joined in the hunt at times, my eyes carried the brunt of the burden. Up one way, back the other. I had last seen her above me, I was down taking out the dock for the season. She was above me. She'd be there when we were done, she was always there, her more worried about me vanishing than I of her.

It was quiet, dry leaves underfoot crushing. Me crushed. I had all day, this was the day. I knew something good would come of this. Not enough good, I knew, but good nonetheless.

Quickly, I was proved correct.