Saturday

Setting: Saturday The beach.
Characters:


Kim: The Girl
Nina: 17 year old jack russell. Well, almost 17. Close enough.

Carrie Bradshaw: 6 year old mutt. Fluffy. Chronically.

The three are sitting on a shady patch of grass, people watching.

Kim: December and 80 degrees. Ah, southern California... I'm glad we came out here today.

Nina: (ears perked) Me too. (sniffs air) Ooh! Salty!

Carrie Bradshaw: WOOF!

Nina and Kim: (startled) WHAT THE--??

Carrie Bradshaw: German Shepard alert. 1:00. To your right.

Kim: Can it "fluffy!" Other dogs are allowed to walk by. Besides, today is about being together.

Nina: (clumsily settling into Kim's arms) Yeah Fluffy. I don't exactly have a lot of time.

Kim: (softly) You know, don't you old girl? (kisses the top of Nina's head)

Nina: I suspected. It's my kidneys. I know.

Kim: I'll take every minute I can get.

The three look out to the sand....

Nina: (looks up to Kim) It's still not my time though. I do have some time left you know.

Kim: You've always let me know when you needed something. I suspect you'll tell me when you're ready.

Carrie Bradshaw: Ready for what?

Nina and Kim: Nothing.

Kim: (kisses the top of Nina's head again) You have remarkable instincts. You've always been there when I needed something. I intend to return the favor.

Nina: Is that why you put down a towel under my water bowl at home? 'Cause I kept slipping on the tile when I'd try and drink water?

Carrie Bradshaw: (disdainful) Your back legs aren't what they used to be.

Kim: (to Nina) That's exactly why I put the towel under your water bowl. You were starting to slip when you'd stand still drinking water. Your face would end up IN the bowl. Now you don't slip. Same reason I put a little rug down in the kitchen for you to sit on when you eat. And I noticed you have trouble picking food up lately off your plate. So that's why I've been lifting it to your mouth so you can eat out of my palm. I can tell you're hungry, but you get frustrated because it hurts to bend down and pick it up.

Carrie Bradshaw: (thoughtfully) And then there are the numerous trips outside at 2:00AM and 3:00AM and 4:00AM. Stupid kidneys.

Kim: Carrie Bradshaw, you'll be old some day, too.

Carrie Bradshaw: (dryly) How dare you.

Nina: (to Carrie) See here Fluffy, I know the Girl will take care of you too when YOU need her to.

Carrie Bradshaw: (thinks about this a moment; beat) Ok.

The three sit and look out again....

Nina: (sitting in Kim's lap) Thanks for bringing us to the beach today. It was nice to get out. I know it hasn't been easy lately.

Kim: (softly) I wish I could be perfect just for you.

Nina: (sighs) You're perfect enough.

Carrie Bradshaw: (beat) Yeah. Ok.

Fade as the three continue to people watch...

©2013

*Please refer to the introduction post in this blog for explanation and inspiration behind this blog. Basically, as Nina gets older, she develops various medical problems; the more carefully I listen to what she tries to tell me, the more I can explain to the vet what is happening. Of course, this would carry over to any medical situation. And Carrie Bradshaw simply goes by her full name.