Woofles

Natasha's elation at seeing the dog was crushed the second she saw his body. "You're hurt! What should I do?" Natasha wondered. She knew what Momma would say--"Honey, he can take care of himself," translated, Natasha knew it really meant,"Just leave him there to die." But how could she do that? It was practically impossible. I know! I'll call Poppa! It was hard for her to leave the dog, but she told herself it was for his own good. She ran to the same payphone she had used to call Momma when she had found Kelsey in the middle of the street. She got 5 cents out of her pocket and shoved it in the slot. She dialed her number and heard a ring, ring! ring, ring! "Hello--" Her heart soared and she said,"Poppa!" and heard, "--You have reached the Brown residence. Please leave your name and number after the beep so we can return your call. Thank you." Natasha stared at the phone with a disgusted look on her face. What should I do NOW? she wondered. She sighed, put the phone down, and ran back to the dog. I am sick and tired of calling him 'the dog' all the time. He NEEDS a name! she thought. "What's a good name for you?" she asked the dog. He just whimpered and wagged his tail pitifully. Then he sneezed. "That's it!" she exclaimed. "Your name is Woofles!" When she was small, whenever somebody sneezed, she would say, "You woofled!" Natasha's thoughts drifted back to Woofles. "Okay, Woofles, time to get you some help." Upon hearing his new name in a sentence, Woofles cocked his head, seemingly trying to say, "What? Who's Woofles?" He whimpered again. "You poor thing, she said, shaking her head. Then she had a brainstorm. "I have an idea, boy. I'll be right back," she said. Why didn't I think of calling Gloria before? She'll help. She ran to the payphone again and dialed the number quickly. Gloria's mom answered. "Hello?" she said. "Hello, Mrs. Orgen. May I please talk to Gloria?" " 'Kay, I be puttin' her on fo' you, young 'un." "Thank you," Natasha said politely. She heard some voices in the background, then Gloria said, "Hey, Natasha. How are you?" Natasha ignored the question and plunged right into her story. When she had told Gloria all about what had happened with the dog, she asked, "So what should I DO?" "Well, has yo' dad looked 'im over?" "No, I called but just got the answering machine. That's why I called you." "Oh, I unnerstan' now. Well, lemmie see. You could take 'im to de vet. I'd love ta help ya, but I jes' can't. I gotta do my math homeirk. Sorry." "That's alright, Gloria. It's not your fault. I'll think of something else." She ran back to Woofles. "What will I do now?" she asked him.