One/Two
I stand perfectly still, waiting for the perfect moment to run and claim my prize. She taunts me with it, just trying to make me jump like an idiot. I’m smarter than that, though. Finally, the moment arrives, and I take off in pursuit of my target. I’m not going to let it escape me this time. I dive into the bushes, sticks scratching my face, but I don’t care. In my haste to retrieve the ball, I almost trample a squirrel. It makes a mean face at me and I pause, my feelings hurt. After a second of hesitation, I begin another chase, this time to avenge my hurt feelings and show that squirrel who the good boy really is.
I hop around in the bushes at the perimeter of the park. Everything is peaceful as I search for acorns to take back to the wife and kids. I hear dogs barking, but that’s normal. I’m safe here, so I don’t even look up until I realize there’s a tennis ball headed my way. I really, really hope there isn’t a dog coming after it. As I think this, a big, hairy, ugly brown thing crashes through the bushes. I identify it half a second too late and glare at it for scattering my acorns. I can see the wheels in its tiny brain turning, trying to decide whether to chase me or the ball. As the idiot pauses, I prepare for the inevitable chase. Not stopping to look back at the dog, I run.
