Page 32 of His Last Chase
“The Many Adventures of Dash and Violet from Elizabeth Brandt,” he began, and I was already sold. This will be a great story!
“Ooohhh, puppies.” Animals always made me happy, though I’d never had pets of my own. “I want a puppy someday.”
“You do, huh?” Daddy ruffled my hair.
Again. If I thought it enough, did that make it right?
I shook my head. “Yeah, it would be fun if it could come on the road with us and be like a band dog.” I’d envisioned it time and again, writing it off as nothing more than a pipe dream. But was it? Could I make it work? With Daddy with me I bet I could do anything.
My brain was sold so what was my deal?
Just say it. Try it out and see how it feels.
“That sounds wonderful, Chase. This story is about two dogs that are deaf and use sign language to communicate.”
“How do they sign with paws?” I moved my fingers and tried to mimic what I thought they would do and failed, but it made Daddy smile.
“Ha-ha. You are too cute, sweet boy. The power of imagination is one of the most fantastic things about humans. While the author describes the story we still view it in our own way.”
“Neat.” Huh, guess I never thought of it that way. Reading to me was an escape from reality. A wayto calm myself before sleep and while I enjoyed envisioning the stories I read I’d never put quite that spin on it.
“Yes, neat indeed.” And another kiss to the top of my head which I thoroughly enjoyed. “It was a warm summer’s day on the farm. Dash and Violet, tired after playing, had laid down in their favorite field of sunflowers with their little pink bellies facing the sun, thoroughly enjoying the afternoon.”
“Two puppies. Twins!” I pointed to the page. “Look.”
“Chase, you are too adorable for words.”
I was snuggly warm and being held by…wait, when had I fallen asleep?
Daddy nudged me. “Sweet boy, time to go to sleep.”
“Sorry. Did you finish the story?” Shoot, I missed all the fun.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I rolled over and Casey wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck, and it made me all tingly. “I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to doze off.”
I yawned and pressed back against him.
“Goodnight, Chase.”
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
I woke up the next morning alone, and in a strange bed. Then it hit me where I was and what I’d done.
I had called Casey Daddy.
Did I fuck things up?
Second Guessing Chase, I wonder if that’s my legal name?
Questioning and second guessing myself was what I did best, though my new online friends told me Daddies loved it when we called them that.
Then the smell of bacon hit me, and Casey walked in before panic mode hit.
“Good morning, sweet boy.” Casey leaned over the bed and kissed me. “Breakfast is ready.”
So far so good.
“Thank you. Let me, um,” I gestured toward the bathroom, and he grinned.