My Cardboard Balcony

My Labrador by Belinda Roddie My labrador and I went for a walk, and as he went off sniffing for a squirrel, I found a friend, and we sat down to talk, just us three in our private little world. My friend's dog had just passed, so he was glad to give my own pup some attention. He stroked his blonde fur, though still a little sad. "My poor mutt died too young," he said to me. "Nobody saw it coming. One day, she's just bouncing around, then the next, she's gone." I gave my friend a hug and fought the breeze off my back. I hoped it would take a long time before my pooch died. Even so, he was happy to find a nice spot to pee.

"I would be absolutely delighted," read the short letter, "if you were to visit me at my estate on the afternoon of the twenty-fifth." I did not see any note anywhere about what I should wear, so I shuffled toward the manor in my rundown pick-up truck, wearing my best blazer and slacks with a polo shirt. By the time I stepped to the door, the butler was already waiting for me, arm outstretched to me in greeting.