A Nudge in the Right Direction

My human thinks no one notices, but I do. When she cries to sleep at night, trying to refrain from being heard. The way she looks at herself in the mirror all funny. I don’t understand what she finds to be wrong with herself, she’s perfectly fine to me. I wish I could see a true smile on her face, I miss it.

As I watch the family chatter and laugh at the dinner table, I study their faces. Me and me alone see them with their masks off when it is just me and them. I consider myself a counselor of sorts. They really should be paying me more in treats. They never give enough, I swear. One more isn’t going to kill me, Arlene.

They’re definitely worried about you, kid. I can see it from the glances they keep giving one another, trying to be discreet. That clearly isn’t working out well for them.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” My human accused.

“What do you mean?” Arlene tries to play it off.

“You and Dad have been glancing at each other and then at me, like I wouldn’t notice. Well I did, and I want to know why.”

My human’s hackles are raised. Oh, boy. Looks like I need to lighten the mood. I grab a particularly squeaky toy. This should do the trick. I come back into the room panting, tail wagging proudly and produce a big squeak.

“Not now, Max.” My human sighs, a sliver of a smile on her face. I did that! My chest puffs up proudly and I curl up on the floor.

“Sweetie, your dad and I are a little concerned about you.”

“Why, I’m fine. School is just a little rough right now, that’s all.” Liar! I bark.

“Just know that, your mom and I are here for you. Anything you need, you can come to us.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll keep that in mind.” The rest of dinner is marked by an awkward tension that no one wants to break. After dinner is officially over, my human immediately pushes her chair back. After she empties the rest of the contents off the plate’s surface, she sets it on the counter and marches upstairs.

My nails click as I pad up the stairs behind her. “Is that you Maxie boy?” My tail wags harder. “How’re you doing, buddy?” I could say the same to you. Loneliness emanates off her in waves. I set my head on her lap and whine. Tears start to dribble down her face. “Me too, buddy. Me too.”

Later that night, I notice light illuminating Paul’s office. What is he still doing up? I waltz in and make a spot for myself on the floor. He doesn’t move from his chair. Frown lines accentuate his features, making him appear far older than his age.

Finally, he looks up and is surprised he isn’t alone anymore in the room. “Hey, Max. Whatchu doing in here?” I simply trot over and lick his hand to show solidarity. “Don’t tell the girls, but I’m getting worried. My job has been laying people off left and right. I need to start preparing in case I’m let go, too. It’ll be our little secret, hm?” I want to howl at his response. What is with this family and hiding their struggles from one another? I scoff instead, as I don’t want to wake the other two residents in the house. Paul laughs, his eyes crinkling. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

My family’s behavior doesn’t get any better over the next few weeks. If anything, it worsens. My human’s grades start to slip. The sound of sheets rustling keeps me awake, as she tosses and turns all night. Arlene doesn’t take me on walks anymore. She barely leaves the house now. Paul spends his free time writing cover letters and interviewing, fearing he will be next.

The worst part is, they don’t even know they’re in the same boat. That they are all sliding down a slippery slope. That they are all shells of their former selves. The responsibility falls on me to do something. They’re counting on me. An idea suddenly dawns on me.

I rummage underneath my human’s bed to find it. Covered in dust bunnies is her prized childhood stuffie. I gently take it in my mouth and take it to Arlene. I gingerly set it in her lap and lay down next to her on the couch.

“Where did you find that? I haven’t seen that in years.” Her mask finally cracks, as she lets out little sobs. My human walks through the door at that moment.

“Mom, are you okay?” She sets her bag on the ground and rushes over to hug Arlene. Only after the hug does she notice her old friend. She smiles. “Where did you find that?”

“Actually, Max found it. He just plopped it in my lap a few minutes ago.” My human whips her head in my direction.

“Max! Did you do that?” She pauses for a few minutes. “Mom, you know how you and Dad said I could come to you?” Arlene nods, not wanting to break the spell. “I’m not doing well and I honestly don’t know what to do.” Her shoulders crumple in defeat.

“Oh, honey. Come here.” Arlene opens her arms up and my human collapses into them, sobbing. Now it’s Paul’s turn to walk in the door.

“What’s up family- why is she crying?” My human laughs, wiping her tears with her sleeve.

“You and mom were right. I’m not fine. But Mom,” She turns to Arlene, throwing her in the spotlight now. “when I came home, you were crying.” She raises an eyebrow. “Why?”

“You’re just growing up so fast and I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself when you’re out of the house.” Tears start to form in her eyes again. She clears her throat and shakes her head. “Enough about me. Paul, honey, how was your day?”

“Well, I got laid off.” The girls gasp. “But luckily for me, I already had another one all lined up.” He chuckles. “Honestly, I should’ve quit years ago. I’m so relieved.” They all lapse into a tranquil silence.

“I think this is the most we’ve talked in ages.” My human blurts out. “I guess we can thank Max for that.”

“I suppose we can,” Arlene says softly, running her hands down my fur. I sigh contently. My family seems to be on the mend now. My work here is done.