Painful Memories Forever Shattered
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Painful Memories Forever Shattered
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Posted 2024-11-02 13:32:22
Startled, I snapped up in my chair, the sudden movement sending me tumbling onto the floor. Laughter erupted from the kids in my class, their voices a mix of amusement and surprise. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I scrambled to my feet, standing face-to-face with our muscular math teacher Cooper Bennet. His sea blue eyes were filled with concern as he looked down at me. "Lilly, do you normally fall asleep in class? Are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice a stark contrast to the laughter still echoing around the room. I felt my eyes drop to the ground, unable to meet his gaze. Should I tell him? Should I reveal the heavy secret I had been carrying alone? My father had died, and no one knew, my mother doesn't even want me or my sister. The weight of my grief had been suffocating, making it hard to focus, hard to stay awake, hard to be the person I used to be. The room seemed to close in around me, the laughter fading into a distant hum. I could feel the eyes of my classmates on me, waiting for my response. My heart pounded in my chest; each beat a reminder of the pain I had been trying to hide. The room felt really tight, my chest felt like it was closing in. Pain radiated to my head, and I winced. Cooper looked at me concerningly, "Lilly you, okay?" his words faded, I could barely hear him. I shook my head, and pain roared through me. "N-no, no. I… I need to s-sit," my voice broke away. Cooper's grip tightened under my arm, steadying me as I swayed. The unexpected contact sent a jolt through me. Instinctively, I pulled my arms away, needing to escape the intense feeling. The touch burned like fire, sending sharp, painful jolts through my skin. It hurt to be touched, and the agony only deepened the turmoil within me, making me feel even more vulnerable and desperate to break free. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, unable to support my own weight. As I fell, my head struck the edge of the desk with a sickening thud, sending a sharp, searing pain through my skull. The impact was so intense that it felt like my brain was rattling inside my head. "Hmm," I mumbled, the sound barely escaping my lips as my vision blurred. The room spun around me, and I could feel the darkness closing in, swallowing me whole before everything went black. * * * Pain, awoke me up with a start, as I tried to roll over, I was met with a railing. "Ms. Evergreen, could you not rollover" Her voice was gentle, and welcoming. My eyes snapped open; the sterile room hit me first. I looked around and found myself looking at a woman about 5'3. "Where am I-I" It came out barely in a whisper. The strange lady spoke up "You're in the hospital. Do you have a mother, father I can contact?" "Uhh" My brain ached from thinking of my mother. "I don't know" I took a deep breath thought "I can't remember" The nurse looked at me again, "It's okay just take a deep breath and try to remember" "I can't remember." and looked at myself, the IV. My frail body, connected to wires and tubes, I now just realized the tube in my nose to help me breath. What happened? Was I kidnapped? The last thing I remember was me facing Cooper. Ugh, why couldn't I remember everything. A knock was heard then my nurse walked in, what was her name. June, right. I could remember that, another person walked in, a man. Cooper Bennet, his 6'4 muscular stature, filled the door frame. "Hey, mate. How you doing?" His thick England accent thick. My face turned to confusion, "What, happened" As Cooper tried to explain he sat in the chair next to my bed. "You passed out, in class after your nap. And you never woke up, your breathing was weak, you were weak. So, I called the ambulance and your mother should be coming." As memories started to flood in, "Marjorie! Where is Marjorie?" He cocked his head in confusion "Marjorie?" My gaze went between June and Cooper, "My daughter! She was with the school nurse, when I was in school." He stood, and looked at me "The baby, I will go get her" The door opened, I jumped, and looked at the door wondering when Cooper was going to come back. "Lillian!" my mother yelled. "What happened? You look pale." I looked at here, forcing a smile I quietly said. "I'm fine" Julian not buying my story, turned to June my nurse. "What, actually happened?" Would June actually tell her? What will happen? The door opened and Cooper walked in with Marjorie. She was sleeping peacefully in his muscular arms. He gently put her in my arms, asking "How old is she?" I looked down at her calm face, "About two weeks old, Wednesday." Emily turned to Cooper, "What happened to my daughter?" Cooper cleared his throat and spoke confidently. "It was really hot in the classroom and she took a nap on her desk. When I woke her up, she -" Julian not caring to hear anymore cut him off. "Well, I guess we should get going." A man walked to the end of my bed looking at my mother in confusion. "Excuse me, Ma'am. I need to speak to you. I'm Dr. Crew" Julian looked at him and nodded. Dr. Crew continued. Cooper stood up and whispered to me "I will be back, but your mother wants me gone." Then he closed the door quietly behind him and the Doctor continued. "It seems like your daughter has been through some physical issues; she is severely underweight being 70 pounds. A normal person her height would weight 130ish, a 11-year-old who is 4'6 would weigh 70 pounds. I'm not even sure how she gave birth to the baby" Dr. Crew looked at me. "When was your last meal and what did you eat?" I looked at the ground thinking of my last meal. "Uhh, Spaghetti. I think." Dr. Crew looked frustrated, and he asked again. "How long ago? Was that your first meal that day?" A tear rolled down my cheek as give him my answer. "Yes it was my first meal that day." I took a deep breath and looked around the room. Everyone was waiting for my answer. "4 days ago, I wasn't very hungry, some snacks here and there." My Mother turned to me hand opened and smacked me across my face. "Lillian Mae Evergreen, how dare you!" I don't know what hurt me more the words or her smack. "Ow, don't hit me" I yelled. My head started to hurt; my ears were ringing again. Just like in the classroom. Marjorie woke at the sudden noise and started screaming at the commotion. My Mother turned to me again, this time leaning over the bed, "Don't you yell at me." Julian slowly backed off as Dr. Crew guided her, I tried to calm Marjorie down, since I didn't have her bottle. Julian looked at my arm and reached her hand caught on the IV line and she pulled it. The pain was unbearable as I screamed. I saw my doctor move to try to grab my mother's arm, but my mother struck me again with her fist. "Ahhh" My ear-piercing scream, matched Marjorie's. The walls seem to close in, as I faded off. Chapter 2 I awoke with a painful start, my arm felt like it was pinned to my waist. With what! I slowly opened my eyes, my head aching at every movement, "Hm." I mumbled wondering if anyone heard it. Looking around the room I found no one in here and it looked like the same room I was in before. Where was Cooper? Where is my nurse or doctor? A quiet tapping noise broke me out of my thoughts and my nurse June walks in. Cooper is behind her, his blue eyes telling my he hasn't got any sleep. "Cooper!" My voice quiet; I smiled hoping he would tell me despite my confusion. "Your doctor will explain your surgery but living arrangements have changed." Cooper inhaled a sharp breath before continuing, "Your mother doesn't want to take care of you, I don't understand why? Your mother has agreed to have custody over you however you will be staying in my house until we have things organized better, ok?" Shock formed over my face and I nodded as the tears rolling down my face. The words came spilling out of my mouth. "My mother… doesn't want me." I took a deep breath not daring to say anything else. Cooper whispered "You got this my little lily." "I have an eating disorder. And a baby!" Cooper gasped as he wiped a tear off of my face, I backed away from the touch and shook my head. "No, no you don't understand. I don't have anyone else. But you!" Cooper looked at me with confusion, "You don't have to explain, just take things slow." He leaned in, my gut wrenched and I froze. The room felt like it was closing in, Cooper stayed there for a minute before kissing my forehead. Panic surged through me and I jerked my head back and pain exploded in my skull, Dr. Crew opened the door and started to explain. "Your mother pulled your I'V and punched your shoulder, your face is minor" Dr. Crew turned to a table and grabbed a few meds. "These are for inflammation and pain, take them" I took the meds with my left hand, I went to grab the cup with my right. The sudden movement sent pain shocking down my arm. "Hmm" I groaned, Cooper to the cup and I popped my meds in my mouth. I went to grab the cup but Cooper put the cup to my mouth slowly pouring water into my mouth. I turned to Cooper questioning him "So where is Marjorie?" Cooper stared deeply into my sea green eyes. "Oh, little Pumpkin is with the nurses for a little while, she was hungry and screaming in the waiting room. A nurse asked if she could take her, apparently little Pumpkin is dehydrated." I nodded Dr. Crew looked at me concerningly, "Umm, you can be checked out just don't do too much. No writing, and drawing, eat more. I do recommend a service dog for you. There are the meds for her to take every morning." * * * Cooper walked into his country house with Marjorie on his hip, and I slowly walked in, taking in my surroundings. The room was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that allowed the afternoon sunlight to stream in, casting a warm glow on the hardwood floors. The walls were painted a soft, calming shade of blue, and the furniture was a mix of rustic and modern, giving the space a cozy yet stylish feel. I noticed that the shelves were neatly organized, with books arranged by size and color, and a few carefully selected pieces of art adding a touch of personality to the room. There were a few knick-knacks, like a vintage clock and some old farm tools, adding a touch of country charm. A comfortable-looking sofa was positioned in the center of the room, with a couple of plush throw pillows adding a pop of color. As I walked further in, I could see the kitchen area to my left, with a large farmhouse sink, wooden cabinets, and a small dining table set for two. Everything seemed to have its place, and it was clear that Cooper took pride in maintaining a tidy and welcoming home. Cooper looked at me, "Come this way, I will show you your room." As he guided me down the hall, we passed a bathroom, an office, and what looked to be a small library. The hallway was adorned with soft lighting and a few framed photographs of country landscapes, giving it a warm, inviting feel. He opened a door and walked in, revealing a cozy room. The walls were painted a soothing white, and several pictures of dogs and horses adorned them, adding a touch of charm and personality. A comfortable-looking bed was positioned against one wall, with a small nightstand beside it. There was a window with light curtains that allowed the morning sunlight to filter in gently, creating a serene atmosphere. A small desk sat in one corner, perfect for writing. The room felt like a perfect blend of comfort and tranquility, making me feel instantly at home. He set my bag on the desk, motioning me to the bed, "I will make you some food." Marjorie squiggled and let out little whines. "Get cozy, and take care of little Pumpkin. Tomorrow we will get some clothes, I have already talked to some friends about service dogs. I'm thinking about getting one for you." "Thanks Cooper!" Cooper turned to me before walking out the door "I took a couple days off and you will be back in school when you have a service dog. Well take a shower in about 4 days, or wash your hair. In the sink" He set Marjorie onto the bed and walked out of the room closing the door behind him. Chapter 3 Walking into the kitchen I see Cooper serving pizza onto two plates and the words just slipped out of my mouth. "Cooper, thanks for taking care of me. It's been really hard with my mother. It means a lot to have a friend who cares." Tears rolled down my cheeks as Cooper turned to me. He held out his arms and walked to me, his arms enveloping me in a hug. I could feel as panic shot through me. I took a step back hoping to get away from him. My foot slipped and I fell backwards in a moment Cooper caught me before I hit the ground. "I-I can't" I whispered trying to sit down. "You're not alone," he whispered softly. "I'm here for you, always." The words came out of my mouth slowly "I know" I buried my face in my hands letting the tears flow freely. The weight of the past few weeks seemed to lift slightly as I felt his hand lifted off my shoulder. "Thank you, Cooper," I managed to say between sobs. "I don't know what I would do without you." He gently rubbed my back, his touch soothing and kind. "We'll get through this together," he said, his voice filled with determination. "One step at a time." He stood there for a while hesitating to do something, the world outside the kitchen fading away. In that moment, I knew I had a friend who truly cared, and that made all the difference. Cooper was the first to step back and grab the two plates with pizza on it and set it down. I let my breath out slowly not knowing I was holding it. Cooper looked at me with concern and spoke. "You good? I would like you to eat all of that okay, I will get the soda!" Cooper stood up and went into the kitchen, God I prayed: Dear Lord, I come before you with a humble heart, asking for your divine protection and guidance over Cooper. Please surround him with your love and keep him safe from harm. Grant him strength, wisdom, and peace in all that he does. I pray you will help me heal and bless this service dog that comes to me. Amen! Cooper came back with two cans of sodas, and he spoke. "Your service dog, we will meet tomorrow, I will pay for her and everything will work out in God's way. Don't worry about the price okay. The dog's name is Midnight Star, a fully trained service dog in PTSD and specialized for someone with an eating disorder." He took a deep breath before finishing, "She is a year old Belgian Malinois, we will go shopping tomorrow for clothes, and dog stuff for you. Don't stress about it, about 6ish tomorrow night we will pick her up." "So tell me about Marjorie!" I finished eating my pizza and turned to look at him "She was born on October 9th she is very unusually quiet. She was an unhealthy baby when she was born, weighing 3 pounds 6 ounces. She had severe breathing problems, had me in the hospital for a week." "I'm going to bed, Goodnight" I said, my voice tinged with exhaustion. I picked up my plate and carried it to the kitchen, I dumped the half of my pizza in the trash and looked where the sink was piled high with dishes. As I set my plate down, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Thoughts swirled in my head: What if I get up early tomorrow morning and tackle these dishes? The idea seemed both daunting and oddly satisfying. I turned off the kitchen light and made my way down the hallway towards my bedroom. The house was quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath my feet. As I approached my room, I heard the sound of water running. The shower was on, and I realized someone else was still awake. Pausing for a moment, I leaned against the doorframe, listening to the rhythmic patter of water against the tiles. It was a comforting sound, one that made the house feel alive even in the stillness of the night. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift off my shoulders. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, I allowed myself to be enveloped by the tranquility of the moment. With a final glance towards the bathroom, I pushed open my bedroom door and stepped inside. The bed looked inviting, and I knew that sleep would come easily tonight. I looked in Cooper's crib he bought at Marjorie who was peacefully sleeping. As I settled under the covers, I made a mental note to set my alarm a bit earlier. Maybe, just maybe, I'd find the motivation to tackle those dishes in the morning. |
Raven Evergreen #103108 |
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Posted 2024-11-02 13:33:18
I stood there by the sink, contemplating how I was going to tackle this mountain of dishes. Plates, bowls, and silverware were scattered across the counter and piled high in the sink. I rubbed my tired eyes and glanced at the clock. 5 A.M. Did I really have to do this now? I questioned myself, but finally decided to just get it over with. Marjorie was in the high chair messing with some little toys I got her, I was up 5 times last night to feed her. Looking back at the dishes With the right arm pinned to the side, the first dish was grabbed to start clearing out the sink. Slowly but surely, all the dishes were managed out and washing began with the dominant hand. As scrubbing continued, thoughts started to wander. Why didn't he have a dishwasher? It would make things so much easier. My mind drifted to other questions. What is a service dog like? I had seen them around, but never really understood their role. And what did he mean by saying PTSD? I knew it stood for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but I didn't know much beyond that. Suddenly, a door down the hall opened, shaking me out of my thoughts. I looked down at the counter and realized it was empty. Glancing at the clock, I saw that only 30 minutes had passed. It felt like much longer, looking at Marjorie who was asleep. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The task was done, and I could move on with my day. Struggling to pick up Marjorie with one are just then, Cooper walked into the kitchen. His presence was always calming, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. He looked at the clean counter and then at me, a smile spreading across his face. "You want help?" he asked, clearly impressed. He reached out and took the sleeping baby. "I will get her in bed real quick." He turned without an answer. As he entered, he questioned me "You did all of this?" I nodded, feeling a bit proud of myself. "Yeah, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Cooper walked over to the sink and started drying the dishes I had washed. "You know, I really appreciate this. I've been meaning to get a dishwasher, but I just haven't had the time." I shrugged, trying to downplay the effort. "It's no big deal. Besides, it gave me some time to think." He glanced at me, curiosity in his eyes. "What were you thinking about?" I hesitated for a moment, then decided to share. "I was wondering about service dogs and PTSD. You mentioned it the other day, and I realized I don't know much about it." Cooper nodded, understanding. "Service dogs are amazing. They can be trained to do so many things to help people with disabilities. And PTSD… it's tough. It's a mental health condition that can really affect someone's life. But having a service dog can make a huge difference." I listened intently, grateful for the information. "Thanks for explaining. It sounds like they do incredible work." Cooper smiled again. "They really do. And so do you, for tackling this mountain of dishes." I laughed, feeling lighter. "Well, I guess we both have our roles to play." Looking at Cooper, shocked formed over my face. "Y-you meant what you said about PTSD, you think I have it don't you." Cooper grabbed another plate and looked at me in the eyes. "Yeah, I guess I do. Your doctor mentioned it to me and said I should look into a service dog and you seeing a specialist." Anger formed on my face, my fist clenching involuntarily. "You think I, have it? You don't even know my past. What I've been through, I don't need you to tell me what I need." My voice was rising, the frustration and hurt bubbling to the surface. Cooper sighed, setting the plate down a bit too forcefully. It slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering into pieces. The sound echoed through the room, a stark contrast to the tense silence that followed. I flinched at the noise; my anger momentarily replaced by shock. I recognized that sound, a little too much. The memory hit me like a tidal wave. I was back in our old kitchen, the smell of burnt toast lingering in the air. Mom was yelling at Dad, her voice shrill and desperate. Dad, in his frustration, had slammed his coffee mug down on the counter. It shattered, sending shards flying across the room. I had been hiding behind the door, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling helpless and scared. I should've protected her; it was my fault she was gone. Tears streamed down my face. "Great, now look what you've done," I muttered, my voice trembling. Cooper knelt down, picking up the shards carefully. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to. I just… I care about you. I want to help." I turned away, trying to control my breathing. "Help? You think dragging up my past and making me relive it is helping? You have no idea what it's like." He stood up, stepping closer, his voice softening. "You're right, I don't. But I want to understand. I want to be there for you, not just as someone who cares, but as someone who can help you heal." Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to keep them from falling. "I don't need your pity, Cooper. I've survived this long on my own." "It's not pity," he said firmly. "It's love. And sometimes, love means facing the hard stuff together." I looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The anger slowly ebbed away, replaced by a deep, aching sadness. "I don't know if I can do this," I whispered. "You don't have to do it alone," he replied, reaching out to take my hand. "We'll do it together, one step at a time." I took a step back from his hand, looking in his deep blue eyes. "I'm sorry Cooper but we can't do this together. I can't" I turned around and walked to my bedroom, I'm sorry Cooper I thought. A couple of minutes after settling into my room and checking on Pumpkin to make sure she was still sleeping; I heard a soft knock on the door. Curious, I glanced over just in time to see something sliding across the floor. It came to a stop right at my feet. To my surprise, it was a book titled "A Dog Called Hope." The cover was adorned with a heartwarming image of a dog, its eyes full of life and promise. I picked it up, feeling the weight of the book in my hands, and examined it more closely. The title intrigued me, suggesting a story filled with inspiration and resilience. As I turned the book over, I noticed a small note tucked inside the cover. My curiosity piqued even further; I unfolded the note to reveal a handwritten message: "I'm sorry for pushing you to tell your history. You will share it when you are ready. This book is something that taught me more about service dogs" The handwriting was neat and elegant; I settled into the bed and opened it up. A couple hours passed before I realized it was 9. The sun was just peaked over the horizon being a beautiful sight. Purple, and pink hues stretched along the sky, what a sight I thought. It was truly gorgeous, my stomach growled reminding me I needed food. Marjorie stirred, waking up. Fussing, then it turned into demanding screams. Figuring out how to pick her up I finally was able to balance her on my hip and give her a bottle. Yes, food. I slowly opened the door; it squeaked at the hinges, a sound that seemed to echo through the quiet house. Hoping not to bother Cooper I started to go to the kitchen to find him standing there. Cooper looks up staring deeply into my eyes, "I'm sorry about earlier my little lily, I hope your hungry I bought some pizza from yesterday." I look back at him, his ocean eyes complementing his blonde hair. "Cooper, I'm sorry I didn't mean to come off that way, it's that. I lost my father due to cancer, it's that I had to take care of him. I watched him suffer" I took a deep breath walking towards Cooper, "The bills were paid by me and I swear. It hurt me more for him to ask me to help when I watched him suffer knowing I could've done more." Cooper took a step forward to be grabbing my baby and placing her in the highchair, "I'm sorry to hear that, why do you shudder, and jerk away at every moment I touch your arm?" Memories came flooding back, and the room became suddenly hot, too hot. "My mother never really came around in my life, so yeah!" It was half the truth but not the answer he wanted. Cooper pulled me into a tight hug, his hands placed at my sides. I wanted to reciprocate, but instead, I placed my hand on his chest, gently pushing him back. He looked into my eyes, searching for an explanation. The intensity of his gaze made my heart race. "I just need some time," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. The weight of my past felt like a heavy cloak, suffocating me. Cooper nodded, understanding but not entirely happy about it. He leaned in and kissed me softly on the forehead, a promise of patience and support. The warmth of his lips lingered, a stark contrast to the coldness of my memories. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breath, feeling the conflicting emotions swirl inside me. Why did it have to be so complicated? I wanted to let him in, to share everything, but the fear of being hurt again held me back. The memories of abandonment and loneliness were too fresh, too raw. I opened my eyes and looked at Cooper, his face etched with concern. He deserved the truth, but I wasn't ready to relive the pain. Not yet. Maybe someday, I thought, as I forced a small smile. For now, I needed to protect myself, to heal at my own pace. Cooper took a step backwards looking at my deep green eyes, "Lets eat." Chapter 5 Looking back from the passenger seat to the back of Cooper's truck at Marjorie who was sleeping. "So, you got a car seat for her?" He looked at me smiling, "Why wouldn't I! She is so precious." Cooper pulled into target, and was about to hop out until I reached out to touch his hand. "Thanks for doing this!" His smile grew wider and he nodded, I gently hopped out to find Marjorie laying in Cooper's arms with her bottle. Once in the store and in the baby aisle, Cooper asked "What is her size? Favorite color on her?" Not even looking up I answered "Probably preemie or newborn! Colors! I really don't care." After about 10 minutes of looking we both shared what we liked. "I like those two" I pointed to a horse onesie, along with the pumpkin one. Cooper chuckled, "Good choices. Let's get them both." He placed the onesies in the cart and we continued down the aisle, picking up a few more essentials for Marjorie. As we reached the checkout, Cooper handed Marjorie to me so he could pay. "You're spoiling her already," I teased. "It's only what she needs," he replied with a wink. Once we arrived to meet the service dog, I sat in the passenger seat bouncing my knee. What if I can't manage a dog or the dog bites Marjorie! Cooper hopped out and grabbed Marjorie from the back meeting me at the front of the truck. Heaving in a big breath, he noticed. "You nervous? It's going to be okay, I promise." I nodded praying this was the path God wanted. Maybe it was, maybe I was supposed to get a service dog and be a single mother. The place felt small and cozy the normal small lounge with a coffee stand at one wall and the other had a bookshelf with magazines and games. I took Marjorie from Cooper who was wide awake. Cooper looked at me with his ocean blue eyes, "Does she need to be changed?" Glancing up at him I answered him "Nope, I did when we were at the store." A lady walked in with a clipboard; her body language told me she was nervous. Why? Was something wrong? She was dressed in blue dress; it complemented her bright blue eyes. "Lillian Evergreen?" She walked over to me extending her hand, I took it. "Yes! And you are?" Shifting her weight she responded, "Ella Roberts!" Ella looked at Cooper and nodded, looking up at Cooper he just shook his head, what was between them? Did they date? I followed behind Ella wondering what it was all about. "Ahem, may I have your attention, I'm Chris Thompson." I looked up at the man, who appeared to be 5'10, medium build and in a business shirt with jeans. Cooper walked up beside me holding Marjorie, who was sipping her bottle. "So, I will bring in the service dog." Chris turned and walked away leaving me and Cooper alone. I first broke the awkward silence "Is he nervous because, it's kind of making me uncomfortable in here." Cooper turned as I spoke and responded, "Hey it's ok, Chris is kind of a tough guy. I believe he thinks there is something between us, when there isn't." Chris appeared back in the room with a black dog at his heels. Chris introduced the dog, "This is Midnight Star, some people call her Midnight." Midnight looked up at him as he called her name. "She can do a lot, will not bite only if told to. She's trained to assist in various tasks and is very friendly." Midnight wagged her tail and approached Cooper, sniffing curiously at Marjorie. Cooper smiled and patted the dog gently. "Hey there, Midnight. You're a good girl, aren't you?" Chris continued, "Midnight is trained to help with mobility, alert to certain medical conditions, and provide emotional support. She's been with us for about one and a half years now and has been a great asset." I watched as Midnight settled down beside Cooper, her eyes alert and attentive. "She seems really well-behaved," I commented, feeling a bit more at ease with the dog around. Chris nodded, "She is. We've put a lot of work into her training. If you have any questions or need her to demonstrate anything, just let me know." Cooper looked at me, then back at Chris. "Actually, could you show us how she responds to a medical alert?" Chris smiled, "Of course." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device. "This simulates a low blood sugar alert. Watch how she reacts." He pressed a button on the device, and almost immediately, Midnight's demeanor changed. She stood up, her ears perked, and she gently nudged Chris's leg with her nose. Chris rewarded her with a treat and lots of praise. "Good girl, Midnight. Good job." I was impressed. "Wow, that's amazing. She's really in tune with you." Chris nodded, "Yes, she is. It's important for service dogs to be reliable and responsive. Midnight is one of the best." Cooper smiled at me, "See? Nothing to worry about. Midnight's got everything under control." I couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks, Chris. And thank you, Midnight." Midnight wagged her tail happily, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. |
Raven Evergreen #103108 |
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Posted 2024-11-02 13:34:35
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Raven Evergreen #103108 |