The Boy Nextdoor

The boy next door seldom comes outside. Melanie would look outside each day when the small mixed breed pup was let out to do his business and shortly after cried and scraped the door facing her upstairs window.

Before long the door would open and the pup would jump in excitement before a small hand appeared for a moment to usher the pup indoors. Melanie at 10 years old always wanted a dog and envied the boy next door for being able to own one. She hoped one day to see the person who owned the pup. Maybe he'd let her pet the pup.

Today, the door opened and the pup came zooming out. He did his business quickly on a tree near the road and began barking in a high pitch, staring up in the tree. The door opened and a low whistle summoned the dog. The dog was jumping up on the tree with a frenzied bark.

She looked up. It was the old lady, Annie's, cat. She knew the cat. A long haired Persian. Suddenly, the door of the house opened wider and out stepped a young man. He was very thin and pale. As he came out of the door, she saw a cane with a white tip. The boy tapped the step with caution before coming out of the house. He wore a pair of dark sunglasses. Now he was calling the dog, his voice a high urgent tone, "Max," he called, "come back!"

Melanie jumped into action and ran down the steps two at a time. Opening the door she looked both ways and crossed to the yard. She slowed her progress so as not to frighten them and called out.

"Hi, do you want some help?"

The boy turned his head and slowly nodded. She reached the pup and took hold of the collar, she patted him and brought him to the boy who grasped the pup in obvious relief and spoke to the pup. The pup sat dociley now.

"I'm Melanie," she advised.
"My name is Luke," he said quietly, "thank you for getting Max."

The cat scrambled from the tree and ran in a ball of fluff to Annie's yard.

This is today's freewrite prompt exercise (it took a bit longer than 5 minutes) brought by @mariannewest cane
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