Devonne Brown

Wishes

“Get that dog down off the couch, he stinks to high heaven and he shits in my bedroom every time you bring him over here,” said Peggy. “Give that idiot dog a bath.”

“Well, why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind so I can deal with it,” said Betty. Neither woman had ever crossed words before. They’d been bridge partners for the last five years. It was like they shared DNA, but not today. Peggy looked at the world sideways for some reason. She was just pissed off all over. Peggy, being the Southern Belle she truly was, had cut her best friend to the bone. “I wish you’d leave him at home.”

“Maybe you need to get laid,” Betty blurted out to Peggy. “You’re much nicer when you’re gettin’ some on the regular.”

Peggy’s face turned purple. “You started this shit when you dissed the dog,” Betty said. “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. I can leave him at home easily,” said Betty.

“Good, I’m glad that’s straightened out,” Peggy’s feathers went back into their unruffled state and she started to put on her walking shoes. “Let’s go. I need our walk to get my mind right.”

Betty gave her a good thoughtful once over. The purpose of her visit was for them to walk the damned dog together. To get their morning exercise and gossip about all the new folks moving into the complex, the Indian dude moving in across the hall from Betty, the nice lady with the golden retriever across from Peggy, the cute gay couple across the street who threw the neighborhood barbecue were their morning agenda of entertainment.

“I know you don’t like the sun, but I feel like going to the lake instead of walking with you today. I’m going back home and leave him there so I can go to the beach for a few hours and catch some rays. I guess you got your wish. We’ll talk more later.”