Trapped in a Box of Blank and Shadows

A pet can do so much more . . .

Via’s mind was blank. Just blank. All the jumbled things tumbling around just hurt her mind and made her so confused that it was blank. She looked out the car window and up at the sky. Blank.

Via was a teenage girl with the biggest anxiety problem. Ever. She had tried switching schools, tried a therapist. She hated it all! It didn’t work. She was always the blank girl. Her thoughts kept to herself, always quiet, somehow knew what everyone thought about her. Thought she was blank.

“Via, what ice cream do you want?” Mother questioned from the front seat. “This is a big celebration!”

Via didn’t have to suppress a giggle. She never laughed! She shouldn’t be laughing. They’d called her blank. Weirdo. But that was what she was, wasn’t it? Why’d she not face the truth? Mother seemed to be reading her thoughts. They’d had a mind connection since Via could remember.

“Via. Those girls were WRONG. You are NOT blank. Hear?”

Via nodded, but she could hear mother trembling. Feel the worry of truth coming off her in waves. Mother knew just as well as Via did.

After Via had licked her chocolate ice cream bowl clean, her mother fixed her with a sympathetic stare. Their gazes clashed, and Via couldn’t look away.

“Mom. I’m blank. You know it!” Via cried. “Don’t deny it.”

“You’re just different. I have an idea to help.”

At the pet store, Via asked her mother. “What are we doing here?”

Mother shrugged and led her to a dog cage. On it said: “Anxiety therapy dog: Golden Retriever. Butter. Adopted! By Via Wayton.”

Via gaped at the cute little puppy in its cage. For once, she smiled and laughed. I’ll be different, she thought. I won’t be alone. I won’t be blank. I’ll be together. No more blank. I’m freed. No more blank, Butter.

She touched the little puppy through the cage bars. “Hi, Butter. I’m not blank. I’m with you.” Freedom is blinding with joy