3rd Person

Riley, Ryder, Parker and Paisley figured out that they weren’t going to get to tell their Mommy the good news about their discovery any time soon, right around the time they heard Ethan and Jane raise their voices.

Their parents knew better than to talk loudly enough to be overheard, so the fact that they were all but yelling clearly meant something was up.

One by one, the pups slipped out of their room and tiptoed down the hall, catching the tail end of Ethan and Jane’s argument. They didn’t understand half of it, but there was no mistaking the fraught energy emanating off the pair in waves.

“This doesn’ sound good.” Paisley fretted, leaning into Riley for comfort.

Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the door slammed shut, and the kids realized Jane had left the apartment. Racing out into the kitchen, they listened as their father explained she would return, but they weren’t so sure. She’d sounded really upset, and he didn’t look like he believed his own words.

They retreated to their room. “We have to do something.” Riley declared. “We need to go after Mommy and make her come back.”

Parker nodded in agreement, he’d noticed in recent weeks that the more time Ethan and Jane spent together, the closer they came to staying together as a family. Every time Mommy ran off on her own or spent time with uncle Eric, however, she started pulling away again.

It was true that they’d all been hurt by what Ethan did to their mother in the past, but he’d been slowly wearing them down. It was impossible for them not to feel how much he cared for them. He was funny and affectionate and they knew he would always be there if they needed him, and that counted for more than anything with pups.

“Daddy won’t let us go out alone though’ Paisley warned, pleased to see her siblings were finally committed to staying with Ethan.

“Then we won’t tell him. Riley declared in a whisper. “We’ll wait ’til he goes to the other room or the bathroom, and sneak out:”

“I like it.” Parker praised, “then we can follow Mommy’s scent wherever she went:”

It took about fifteen minutes for Ethan to finally stop pacing at the door and head for the restroom, and as soon as he closed the door behind him, the pups were out of the apartment and onto the elevator. They rode downstairs overflowing with anticipation, then ran out onto the street.

“Which way do you think she went?” Ryder asked, looking around and sniffing the air. Unfortunately for the pups, the bakery next door was filling the surrounding area with the aromas of fresh bread and cookies. It all smelled delicious, but it certainly didn’t help them track Jane.

can’t smell anything.”

to

“but Auntie Linda lives really far ‘way. How are we

give you a ride” A woman says behind

was standing in front of their building, with a wide smile on her face – free

and still not convinced that it was truly happening. In the back of her mind she continued to worry

Because I hate to break it to you darling, but you’re already

the mark I can still run and live independently. But sharing the pups would mean being forced to interact with him,

assuming that sooner or later you’re going to

is obsessed with him – to a concerning degree. Honestly Mom, it’s like having a lovesick puppy holed up in my chest.”‘ She explained, pausing to join the spectral woman in a laugh

they want if you let your fears control

Jane sniffed, her

arm wrapped around her

you want to risk letting

Jane wept openly now, “it kills me that l let it hurt them so much already. I just kept telling myself that l knew what was best and they’d understand one day, like I was forcing them

learning along the way. The trick is to pay attention to the lessons when

with warmth even though she couldn’t

Standing from the bench, Jane’s mother glanced up at the night sky, “And just in time too, I’m afraid I

you have to go?” Jane asked, suddenly alarmed at the idea of regaining her sanity. “We’ve barely had any time. There’s so much

Goddess’s light only lasts

gently, gesturing up to the clouds quickly covering the

see you again?”

She promised. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become, and I

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