Missed You Too

Josh is quietly sitting in the 3rd row of the early 2000’s minivan. It is just a few days before Christmas. His older cousin Jessika is sleeping next to him. His aunt Abbie is driving the minivan down a road that is covered in a blanket of snow and the road finally looks familiar to him. He knows he will be home soon. The drive back from Florida was growling because he had nothing to entertain himself with. All of today’s modern luxuries weren’t as easily accessible back then. So all he had to entertain himself was his thoughts. His mind keeps going back to the same thought. How his dog Fathead was doing. It had been two weeks since they have seen each other. This was the longest they have been apart since Fathead moved in. He didn’t know if Fathead would recognize him when they saw each other again. He thought that Fathead may not be as excited to see as he was. That thought made his stomach turn.

Fathead wasn’t really his dog. It was his aunt Debbie’s dog but his parent have been dog sitting for months and Josh has grown very attached. Fathead had become apart of his household family. He couldn’t imagine Fathead not living with him. He knew it was only a temporary situation but they still had a few weeks together. They did everything together. They would go for walks at the park by the river, played in the yard, and slept next to each other each night. Josh wondered if Fathead had trouble sleeping too the first few nights apart.

Fathead was a tiny black poodle with big brown eyes. His head looked much larger than his body and that is how he got his name. His aunt was the one who named him. Fathead had so much energy, and was the sweetest dog but if you needed protecting he would charge to action because dogs love unconditionally. They love you more than they love themselves. Dogs really are man’s best friend.

Josh watches the buildings pass him by as the car drives down the main road of his hometown. He gets excited knowing he’ll be home any second. His excitement is mixed with nervousness. His palms were sweating, and his heart was racing. They turn up his street and he removes his seatbelt before his aunt even parks. His aunt pulls to the side of the road when they arrive to his house so she can get his bags out of the trunk. Josh is so excited he can’t wait another minute. He rushes out of the minivan almost slipping on some ice and heads into the house.

Once inside he doesn’t even have to make a sound. Fathead comes to the living room doorway to see who has come inside. They make eye contact. Josh’s heart is racing because he hopes Fathead hasn’t forgot him. Fathead comes running in from the living room at Josh obviously very excited. Josh realizes Fathead missed him a lot too.

The Christmas tree is up with all of the lights, and ornaments. The house is fully decorated. It was a winter wonderland. The image of Fathead running at him with the tree in the background will be burned in his memory forever. Josh drops to his knees and Fathead jumps into his arms. Neither of them can contain their excitement. Fathead is licking at Josh’s face and rubbing his head into Josh’s chest. Josh is petting Fathead’s back and head while he tries to calm Fathead down. Josh lovingly says, “I missed you so much too Fathead!”.