6:07 a.m.

"Hey Meg, I'll be down in a bit." Blake shouted from the upstairs hallway.

Now also trying to head out, but not before serving Morgan her favorite cereal.

"She already left Blake, Milo is missing, she's looking around for him."

"Yea? I'm sure he was among the dogs we heard barking like crazy this morning, he's around, she'll find him. But can you imagine the green on our lawn without that little mutt, would be as green as Howard's. Always chapping all over our lawn."

"Very sensitive Blake, why didn't you shout that out while she was still standing here? Remember how she got that dog Blake, let's hope she finds him."

"Yes! That's why you never see one without the other. Is she married to Jeff or Milo? Sometimes it's difficult to tell."

"Sure, joke about it. Would you joke about it if King-Kong goes missing?"

"Would your reaction be the same?"

"What would you say to your daughter?"

"Honey! King-Kong is a good dog, he's doesn't crap all over their lawn, or ours for that matter, plus King-Kong wouldn't run away."

"You're a sick man!"

"This kind of weather happens every now and then honey, it's not a big deal. Our home is fine and we're all fine." Blake assured Morgan that it would pass soon.

Down trees, branches and debris were on the streets and across the lawns, and It didn't help that it was garbage pick-up morning. It was a mess outside.

I hugged Morgan longer than usual that morning. Not sure who needed it more, her or me. But we both felt the need to be a bit closer, for a bit longer that morning at the tail-end of the massive wind that already impacted the day. Even King-Kong was unsure of what was going on, but he too had his assurance, in the loving arms of his frightened 4-year-old friend.

I kissed Morgan on her cheek then blew her another as I rushed towards the door leading to the garage. Leaving her in Blake's capable hands to drop her off at school. The schools buses were cancelled because of the possibility of poor road conditions.

I hugged and gave Blake a sharp squeeze in his sides. "That's for Meg." I said. Followed by the I-totally-disapprove of your opinion on Milo's status look. He kissed me then held the door open for me to leave.

A phone call came in from Howard to Blake at 9:15 a.m.

“Hey Blake, wow! That was some wind this morning, you guys alright?”

“Yes! We’re fine, we’re good. How about you, everyone OK?”

“Blake…how’s Morgan?”

“You know Morgan, she’s the ultimate survivor. She was a bit anxious this morning, but she’s fine.”

“Linda?”

“She’s good.” Blake replied

“What’s going on Howard?”…You don’t sound like yourself.”

“Blake, where is Morgan’s dog?”

“OK, now you’re freaking me out, what’s going on?”

“Blake, the craziest thing happened. I decided to drive the truck in this morning because of the debris all over the streets. I was on my way to your house to give you a ride in. I figured you probably wouldn’t want to drive that fancy car of yours in today.”

“I came down Heron Street then made the left on Baldwind to pick up your street. A few seconds after I passed the stop sign, this small animal dashed across the street from the right side of the truck. I slammed on my break so hard, my GPS on the back seat, came flying to the front, slammed into my dashboard. The application forms we started looking at last week, all over the floor from my briefcase.”

“Your working-while-driving scheme backfired I see?” Blake interrupted was a chuckle.

“I thought it was a dog or something, it happened so quickly.”

“Blake, I waited to see the animal on the other side of the truck, safe and finishing his journey across the street so I could be on my way. Nothing! Nothing happened.”

“Got out of the truck. Not shitting you, the front left tire was resting on the back section of this small furry white dog. Little guy didn’t make it across. I quickly backed up the truck then picked up the poor thing. I quickly placed it on the documents in the front on the truck, then rushed down to the Fire Station at the end of Baldwind.”

“I’m yelling…

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!

Banging my hand in anger against the steering wheel while rushing like crazy over branches, and over the speed limit.”

“Blake, I’m driving and I’m thinking, holy-shit, it’s Morgan’s dog, I’ve seen this dog at Blake’s house, it’s his daughter’s dog.”

“Wow! Wow! Wow! That’s not King-Kong, King-Kong is right here.” Blake said.

“You’re not shitting me, right?”

“This is not your dog?” Howard inquired, with a hint of relief.

“It’s not our dog Howard, but that doesn’t mean you’re not in deep shit, just not as deep.”

“Holy-shit, talking about sounding strange when I called. I swear to God this was Morgan’s dog.”

“Shit Howard, I arrived at the Fire Station, and it was too late.”

“Did you check the tag on his collar for contact information?” The firefighter asked.

“I know the owner. Blake's daughter’s dog.”

I replied, pointing in the direction of your house.

“Blake Hamilton?” He asked.

Then he gave me that flippin’ “Good-luck with that” line that I hate like hell. Smirking, as if you’re the Mob boss or something, very little care from that guy. Come-to-think-of-it, maybe that guy is not even a real firefighter.”

“Blake, all this time I was thinking that it was your daughter’s dog.

“They told me that I might have to bury the dog because it died in my position.”

“Where’s the dog Howard?”

“At the back, by the shed, aaah…in a, in a box.”

“Do I really have to bury this dog or can I just call the city?”

“Meg came here yesterday morning looking for her dog Howard, check the tag, his name is Milo.”

Blake reluctantly broke the terrible news to Linda.

Linda opted to deliver the horrendous news to their neighbor, Meg.

“Oh my God Blake, remember how she got Milo?”

“From her mom?” Blake replied.

“Yea, when her mom passed from Pneumonia just over two years ago. She decided to care for her dog, oh man, she’ll be devastated!” Linda added.

"Howard, please hold a bit, someone is trying to reach me."

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