RP Post: Don’t Wake Bojangles!

Cassidy wasn’t entirely sure what made puppies different from people. Bojangles had four paws, sure, and his nose was wet like a cold jellybean, and his ears flopped over in the middle like folded pancakes—but he still seemed like a someone. He played when she played. He followed when she walked. He had already tried to chew on one of her favorite socks. That all felt very person-y.

But now he was asleep.

And Cassidy had been told—very clearly—not to wake him.

So she knelt on the floor beside his fluffy new bed, her knees tucked under her, and just… watched. Bojangles was all curled up like a cinnamon bun, his chest puffing up and down with each breath. His back leg twitched once, a little kick, like maybe he was dreaming about chasing the blue rubber ball they’d rolled across the bus yard earlier. Cassidy didn’t move. She wanted to. Every muscle in her legs wanted to scoot just an inch closer. Maybe pat his soft brown ear. Maybe whisper his name. But Momma had said not to, and Cassidy took rules very seriously.

Still, she squinted at him with the kind of confusion only a nearly-four-year-old could have. It’s not nap time. Not yet. She hadn’t even finished her juice box. She folded her arms on the edge of the dog bed and rested her chin there like a statue, waiting. Soon, she thought. Soon, he’ll wake up. And when he does, we’re gonna play all over again.