“I think I’ve just met the happiest person in the world!” The young girl shouted in excitement as she quickly walked back to her mother. Her mother smiled back at her. They interlocked fingers before continuing their on their way down the sidewalk.

What a sweet thought. How it must feel to be a small child, oblivious to the struggles of adulthood. To see everyone disguised in a smile as being….happy. To know nothing of the pains of daily life. So innocent. So pure. A spirit not yet crushed by everything the world has in store for her. The child could not begin to fathom the sadness I hide behind this smile.

Mickey let out a gentle “woof.” His attention now drawn to a pigeon pecking at the ground a few feet away from us. Such a short attention span. As if he’d already forgotten the young girl from moments before, who so eagerly walked up and asked to pet him. Her memory will last in my head for much longer than his. The look in her eyes when she saw Mickey. The joy on her face when he thanked her for petting him by giving her slobbery dog kisses. She reminded me of my younger sister Sam. I’ve missed Sam terribly.

“Alright Mickey, let’s go.” I say as I tug his leash, directing his attention back to me and away from the pigeon. These daily walks have been the only routine I’ve been able to establish since the accident. It’s been two years and I still find myself struggling to cope with the reality that Sam is gone. Such a cruel world to rip away a beautiful soul with so much left to offer. Mickey is all I have now.

I gave Mickey a pat on the head and we continue walking home. We didn’t see many people out today. Which isn’t too surprising, most people don’t enjoy walking in the rain. Most people wouldn’t want to pet a wet dog either. Young children aren’t most people.

She’d asked why we were out walking and I hadn’t the heart to tell her the truth. That this was one of our daily walks to the cemetery to visit a slab of stone with Sam’s name on it. No. This child was too young to comprehend grief. Would she even have known what a graveyard is? Had her mother explained those aspects of life to her yet? Best to let her continue living in oblivion for as long as possible. Thankfully I was quick on my toes when she asked. I lied, saying had just come from the dog park. She believed it, thinking nothing of the rain. Her little voice when she asked why we were at the dog park. I continued the lie by telling her Mickey is my best friend, which is true, and that I take him there every day so he can see his best friends. The lie had satisfied her and she hadn’t pressed me for more information. In fact, she loved the lie. Her face had lit up with a bright smile. “That makes me the most happy!” She had said. “That makes me the most happy too.” I replied. I felt relieved when her mother had waved for her to come back. “Gotta go!” The girl had said before quickly walking back to her mother.

Mickey and I reached the steps of our apartment building and we both just stood there for a moment before opening the door to head inside. “Mickey, do you think we’ll see them on our walk again tomorrow?” I asked. He shook the rain from his thick fur. “I’ll be sure to ask her name if we see her. She reminded me so much of Sam.” “Woof!” Was Mickey’s only reply. “And she called me the happiest person in the world. Hmph. Me. Happy. Do you think, Mickey? Maybe one day I’ll be happy again?” “Woof!” Was all he said. “Alright alright. One day at a time, Mickey. One day at a time.”