****

“It didn’t go well, I take it. Do you have anything to say about it?”

“That I don’t want to go back.”

“I’m glad you’re okay though. You are okay, right?”

“I think I am?”

“Definitely didn’t tell you so.”

“Definitely not.”

“I will await your return, you precious pigheaded periwinkle.”

“Don’t miss me too much if I get sucked into some abyss of death.”

“Unless there’s no signal. Which I guarantee you there won’t be, since there’s no dog park.  Which is why you should not go in there.”

“I’m gonna do it.”

“You think a walkie-talkie will help you in there? This is why I worry about you.”

“At least I can tell you if things go wrong.”

“Go see what? I love you but I can’t… encourage you to follow your dream on this one. I want you alive and happy and well.”

“The Dog Park, Sarah. I’ll be fine. What if I bring a walkie-talkie?”

“Normally I love it when you say my name but I am not into this.”

“I just want to go see. Check it out for an evening.”

“What if I make you pancakes though? With blueberries.”

“Sarah.”

“Find something else to be curious about.”

“You know I’m not gonna let this go.”

“No, Letha. Why? Are you unhappy?”

“I’m more curious.”

“Don’t. No. Bad.”

“Sarah, c’mon.”

“Well that did not disappoint. But seriously, what are you even talking about? There’s no dog park around here.”

“Sarah.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. But it tends to be more fun when you’re not consciously pretending.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Because maybe it’s in the best interest of everyone if we stay out.”

“Well, what’s even in there?”