Stay

Disclaimer: story contains themes of abandonment and distress, and an implied death.

I love riding in the car. The world gets so big when we G-O. I wonder if we're going to the park. I hope we are. Not to that stinky old V-E-T. I hate that place. My friends are never there. The car smells like you. I like that smell. I sit and I look out the window. Everything moves fast. I like when it moves fast. Sometimes you talk to me. I like that too. I listen. I’m very good at listening. Maybe we’re going somewhere fun! I hope we are!

This place doesn't smell like the park. Or look like the park. It isn't the V-E-T either. Maybe this is a new place. That’s okay. I like new places. I can learn this place. I’m very good at learning. I'll learn it for you.

Stay? Hmm. Okay. We've never done it like this before, but I'll try my hardest. Oh I see! You want me to come from far away!

A little thing jumps out of the grass. It’s small. It looks soft. It jumps again. Oh! This is a game. I know this game. I am very, very fast. It jumps again. I see where it goes. It jumps toward the water. The water looks like the water at home. Smooth. Cool. I love the water at home. We play in the water at home. You throw the ball and I splash and splash and I get it. I am very good at that game. I want to go to the water. Stay? Oh. Right. This is part of the game. I will stay. I am very good at stay. The little thing jumps into the water. It is gone now. I look for it. I wait for it to come back.

A buzzy thing flies near me. It’s loud and I don’t like that. It comes closer and moves very fast. I don’t think this is a good game. It comes closer again. No. No thank you. You can play by yourself. Maybe it’ll go away. It doesn’t go away. It flies around my head and that’s not nice. That’s very not nice. I don’t like this game. It goes past my ear. I hear it there. Then it’s by my nose. No. Not that. That’s too close. Maybe it’ll go away. It comes back again. Why. This is a bad game. A very bad game. I don’t hear it anymore. Good. I hope it doesn’t come back.

Oh! That sound. I know that sound. I like that sound. Maybe that’s you. It’s getting closer. It’s really close now. Oh! Oh! You’re here. I knew it. I knew you’d come back. I’ve been waiting. I stayed. I stayed right here. Just like you said. I didn’t go anywhere. I didn’t chase anything. I didn’t leave. I did it right. I’m ready. I’m very ready. I can come now. I can come fast. I can come all the way. I’m so ready. Hey, wait! Maybe you didn’t see me. I’m right here. I didn’t move. I’m still right here. I did it right. I stayed. I’ll wait. That’s okay. You’ll come back. You always come back. You always do. I’ll be right here. I won’t move. I’ll stay so you can find me. I’ll be easy to find. I’ll be right here where you left me. I see someone across the road. They’ve been sleeping a long time. They really need a B-A-T-H.

Hmm... this is pretty boring. Oh I know! This stick! This is a good, crunchy stick. You'll love it. I just know you will. This stick is good. It’s crunchy. I like that sound. I’ll keep it safe. I won’t lose it. I’ll show you when you come back.

I’m hungry. That’s okay. You bring food. You always do. Maybe you’re bringing it now. Maybe that’s what you’re doing. I’ll wait. I’m good at waiting. Food at home is good. The bowl. The sound. You say my name. I come fast. I sit. I wait. Then you say okay. I eat. I’m very good at that. I can do that again. I’ll do it right. Sometimes there’s the Good Stuff. I like the Good Stuff. I sit extra still for that. I don’t move at all. You like that. You say I’m good. I am good. Sometimes you say my name twice. I like that. I come faster when you do that. I can come fast again. I’m very fast. I’ll be ready. I’m ready now.

My stomach feels funny. It makes a noise. That’s silly. I’ll wait. Maybe you’re getting the food ready. Maybe you’re opening the bag. I know that sound. I like that sound. Maybe that’s what you’re doing right now. I’m thirsty. There’s water at home. Cold water. Good water. I like that water. I drink and drink and then I’m done. I can wait for that too. You say easy. I am easy. I don’t spill. I drink nice. I’m good at that. I can do that again. My mouth feels dry. That’s okay. I’ll wait. Maybe you’re close. Maybe you’re almost here.

I’m sleepy. That’s okay. I stayed. I did it right. My eyes feel heavy. I’ll close them a little. Just a little. I’m here. Good. Maybe you’re close. Maybe you’re almost here. I didn’t move. I stayed. I didn’t go anywhere. I’m right here. My eyes feel heavy again. I’ll close them a little more. Just a little more. I’m here. I stayed. I did it right. Maybe you’re here now. Maybe you’re right there. I’m right here. Good. I didn’t move. I stayed. I didn’t go anywhere.

This is a really long game. We've never played past bedtime before. Nighttime is big here and I'm getting sleepy again. All the warm smell is gone. I'll lay down right here again so you can find me. I love you so much. I'm the best at stay.