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YESTERDAY'S WINE

All she wanted to do was go outside and play. Was that so hard for everyone to understand? Golly, she knew what was going on, but why couldn't she go outside and just play a bit.

Finally after one more big hug from an overweight, normally fairly cranky Aunt, they said she could go outside for a minute or two.

More like quit bugging us, child and go away. Good enough, she snuggled her favorite teddy bear close to her chest and let herself out the sliding glass balcony doors.

It was a relief to be out in the bright sunshine and away from the depressing adults, sitting around and gossiping about everything and anything. First she ambled over to the big oak tree and leaned against the rough bark, pressing her cheek into its old wooden skin.

But now she was blocked from the sun by the towering spread of branches above her and right now she wanted the sun and the happiness that came with it. Patting the tree, she said goodbye to it.

As she walked, she could almost smile from the smell of the newly cut grass, it was a pleasant smell of mother earth and all things good. Abruptly she sat down, laying Teddy aside she quickly unstrapped her shoes and slipped them off. Then her knee high socks. Standing, she wiggled her toes, the blades of green tickling her tiny feet. She began to run, skipping as she went. She felt like laughing, it would be good to laugh. But No, that wouldn't be good, not today. Her chest suddenly felt tight, almost painfully so. Stopping, the first little tear slipped down her cheek, she muffled the sound of her sobs threatening to break out from within her. Turning her eyes searched for her Teddy. Ah, there, she had left the fuzzy brown bear beside her shoes and socks. Walking slowly now, she started back.

She heard the excited yip and her eyes immediately went to the small hole in the tall white-boarded fence along the back lane. Barreling full out through the gap came ten pounds of hurtling dynamite. Trixie! It was Trixie! She dropped to her knees, arms open wide. The sun shone bright on the silver curls of the dogs coat.

Trixie literally knocked Amanda off her knees, when she flung herself into the waiting, outstretched arms. Laughing now, Amanda tried to hold onto the dog whose own smiling face was filled with such joy. But the dog wiggled free and headed full out for the stuffed bear across the lawn. Amanda squealed, "Oh no you don't, you little, bear eating dog, don't you dare steal my Teddy". The game was on!

Racing ahead of the running girl, Trixie snapped onto the bear and began to run circles around the yard. Around the oak tree, down the path leading to the garden in the back corner, Amanda in hot pursuit. Teddy bear waving in the air now, then Teddy bouncing on the ground. Laughing, feet flying, Amanda kept up the chase.

Finally the dog skidded under the branches of the tree and collapsed, panting in the hidden shade. She rested her head on her stolen prize, eyes bright with mischief. Out of breath, Amanda dropped down beside her. "Give me my Teddy, you bear thief".

The dog relinquished her prize as she had always done after a good chase. Amanda brushed the clinging grass off the slightly damp toy and laid it aside. Sitting with her back against the bark, she gathered the toy poodle in her arms. Trixie fit so perfectly in her arms, just like she had always done ever since the girl was old enough to hold her. Amanda buried her face in the coat of the dog. Silently, she breathed in the smells of her Gramma's companion.

Yes, she could smell Gramma's Cinnamon Buns, oh how she loved going with her Mother, hand in hand, down the back lane, the short walk to Gramma's house and always, sitting at the big, old kitchen table and eating one of those Cinnamon Buns.

And she could smell Gramma's home made Crabapple Wine. It stung her nose a bit, making her want to sneeze. Everybody always said that Gramma Rose made the best Crabapple wine in the country. Why, even their church Minister was known to stop there at Rose's house for a glass of wine.

And she could smell Gramma's baby powder scent if she tried hard enough. But that wine sure did mask it a lot today. The girl and dog stayed under the tree, just the two of them, hidden by the branches from the world surrounding them.

Finally Trixie began to squirm. Amanda wasn't ready yet. "I know, Trixie, you aren't supposed to get out of Gramma's yard and come visit me, but don't go home just yet, stay awhile please". The dog squirmed free, then sitting in front of Amanda, she looked up into the girls face, her eyes meeting the girls. Silently, without sound, their love for each other passed between them. Slowly the dog stood and for a brief moment she reached up her paw and touched the rosy cheek of her beloved Amanda. Stretching her nose foreword, she licked the tears away from the girl's sad blue eyes. Then turning she trotted back across the grass towards the hole in the fence. Amanda watched the sun flash golden on the silver coat of her friend, until the dog disappeared from sight.

Carefully Amanda slipped each sock on, then each shoe. Clutching Teddy to her chest, she entered the house. She was almost all the way down the hallway to her room before anyone even noticed she was back. Aunt Heather's voice stopped her. "Child, where are you going"? Her voice small, "To my room, Aunt Heather".

"We saw you running out in the yard, are you tired now, Child"? "Yes, Aunt Heather", came the small voice. She closed the door to her room and lay wearily on her bed. She sighed and closed her eyes.

Cranky Aunt Bella shifted her bulk in the kitchen chair, "That little girl is going to miss her Gramma something fierce, now pour me another wee bit of Rose's Crabapple wine before it's all gone". Amanda's Mother dabbed her eyes, her voice from crying, "Yes, Amanda is going to miss her grandmother but I think she is going to miss the dog more, they played together every single day. Every day, Trixie would get out of her own yard and come through a hole in the fence to play with my little girl". She broke down in tears again. Aunt Heather poured each of them a bit more wine, "Pity, the dog dying in the accident with Rose, such a pity".

THE END