Another short one. Only one more to go! Photo credit: Alvin Alexander
~ Two weeks later, Delle, Michigan ~ “Here’s Ms. Sassypants, all done with her surgery.” The camera shifts to a husky laying on a plushy blanket with gauze over her eyes. Me and Baylee are on a video call. She wanted to show me Novva, who got her surgery. “She’s recovering pretty well. We get to take the gauze off tomorrow!” “So happy for her!” “How’s Ms. Mini?” Baylee asks, meaning Moxxie, who is the smallest dog Baylee has ever met. “She’s great.” Me and Baylee keep talking and my heart fills up with warmth. I’m glad I did the Shimmer Creek Sled Dog Race. ~ One day later, Delle, Michigan ~ I’m hanging the newly-framed picture of me, Baylee, Moxxie, and Novva in my sled dog race picture frame in my room. Two friends and their most important dogs. I hear Mom in the kitchen, opening the mail. “Della, you have mail.” Mom walks up the stairs. I run to the top of the stairs. Moxxie runs with me, then stands at the top and wags her fluffy tail. Mom hands me the envelope and walks downstairs again. I look at the envelope. It’s stamped with Delivered by sled dog and is in the Shimmer Creek envelope. I wonder who is sending me a letter. It’s not Baylee, because she didn’t know who I was before the race. I rip open the envelope and sit heavily on the easy chair in the room. Moxxie lays down at my feet. I read on with anticipation.