What Would You Do?

Mick and Loretta had been driving well into the night. Loretta could feel herself drifting in and out in twilight sleep, only to awaken herself to support Nick; while he drives, keeping him alert. “Should we stop off and get a motel? Loretta said to Nick. “No, not just yet baby. I have a system going here”. Mick replied chuckling; anticipating Loretta’s disdain at his so-called systems. “You and your systems”, Loretta said quietly with admiration in her eyes as they both looked at each other half smiling.

All of a sudden they heard a thud! Or, did they run something over? It was hard for them both to tell. Mick immediately shifted the car towards the side of the road coming to an unsavory complete stop! Both looked at each other bewildered. “We better go have a look”. Mick said. They both opened their doors in a slow unison. Mick quickly reached back and turned the headlights back on; realizing how dark it was.

“I don’t see anything Mick” whispered Loretta. But, what they couldn’t see they heard. “Do you hear that? What is it”? Loretta said trying to tame the fear swelling up inside of her. “Shh..Loretta”. Mick said motioning her with one of his fingers up to his lips. “I think it’s coming from this direction Loretta”. Mick acknowledged, pointing now into the darkness. “Where are you going”? Loretta asked him in a serious whisper. “Get the flashlight Loretta and and come. It sounds like someone or something is gasping for air”. Loretta with trembling hands grabbed the flashlight out of the glove compartment and was right behind Mick in minutes.

“Give me the flashlight”. Mick said his voice hoarse now from fear. “Mick, maybe we should just get in the car and keep going”. “Loretta, I hit someone or something, and you felt it too”. “Yes, Mick and we also didn’t see anything, please let’s just get back in the car and go”. Loretta said urgently. “No, we must see what it is”. Mick says as he carefully took the flashlight from Loretta’s trembling hand.

Mick took the flashlight and pointed it towards the darkness, and there they saw their object. “What is it”, cried Loretta? Mick Walking closer to the thing with Loretta squeezing Mick's arm so tight. And there they had their answer. “Oh my goodness, a dog. It’s a dog Mick. What is a dog doing out in the middle of nowhere" Loretta forcing her confused words out?

Mick was now bending down to get a closer look. The dog, desperate and pitiful, tried to scoot it’s broken battered body towards them. It was obvious that it’s back was broken from the impact.

They both watched the dog gasping for air and taking its last breaths. The only thing they could do is kneel there feeling helpless, and terrified looking totally dumbfounded. “What is a dog doing out here in the dark and in the middle of nowhere and this late hour” Loretta said now a little angry because she felt so sorry for the dog? I mean, there aren’t any houses, markets for miles on end”. Mick, who was by this time sitting next the dog felt and they both heard it take its last breath. “Oh, what are we going to do now Mick”? Loretta, again said through a serious whisper. “Go and get that miniature shovel out of the trunk”. Mick said in a resolved tone in which Loretta had never heard. “And take the flashlight with you”. “What!? Are you out of your mind Mick, let’s just go; there is nothing we can do”! “Honey, go and get the shovel out of the trunk”. Mick repeated himself, this time in a voice that was assuring. “If we leave it here the wild animals will eat it for sure”. And besides it’s the least we can do, poor bugger”. Mick said, rubbing the pooches lifeless head.

At last the little grave was dug and the dog was put to rest. They both gingerly and quietly walked back to their car. And drove off with heavy hearts. They had driven a mile or so when they both noticed a car stopped off on the side of the road. It was a family/two kids with a flashlight calling out a name of some sort..

As both their minds started to realize what was going on, it was then they looked at each other in unison…… - What do we do?

By Sharon Nelson