Role

Chapter 4

More years passed. My eyes were rheumy and foggy. My joints ached but I got
around with Her help. She cared for me, made sure I had the softest blankets
and helped me up on the bed so I could still sleep at Her feet. I could smell
the decay again. I think She could smell it too. She took me for walks Out-
side under the trees. She talked about the blue fields again, but I couldn't
tell Her that I was not a stick-two-leg and might not get to romp there. I
found a rabbit femur and showed it to Her, and buried it for safekeeping. I
tried to tell Her sometimes we have to give up the things we care about most,
for their own good. Like me. She seemed to understand, because She was my
best friend. When my pain and suffering became too great, She took me to the
temple's priest, and they prayed and let the decay take me. And as I closed
my eyes for the last time, I remember Her sweet breath as She sobbed into my
scruff.