“And then the man says to the cashier, ‘I sure can-doo that,’ Ahaha!”

Sitting around a makeshift campfire sat four high school friends. Or maybe, it’s more accurate to say three high school friends and…

“Lee, why the hell aren’t you laughing? Your brother’s joke was funny as hell.”

“C’mon Lee, spruce up that RBF with a smile. Maybe if you did that more you’d find yourself a boyfriend.”

Brad and Kennedy continued their usual verbal harassment of Lee. Paul, Lee’s elder sibling, also decided to get in on that action.

“Relax guys. Maybe she just… can’t-doo that. Bwahaha.” Paul splashed beer on himself from his eruption of laughter, with Brad and Kennedy following suit.

That sure was forced.

Lee, in her junior year of highschool, sat on the damp ground of a cemetery in front of a small fire. Her long raven black hair skimmed the clean cut grass she sat in. Her violet eyes stared blankly into the embers, making them glow even brighter than usual. On a log next to her sat Paul, her senior brother by one year. He wore jeans with a white t-shirt much too small for his pudgy physique. His articles of clothing were stained with both oil and grease along with the beer he just spilt. On the other side of the fire of the siblings were Brad and Kennedy who sat on a park bench together. Brad, in worn out overalls and boots, sat manspreading the entire bench, not leaving any room for Kenedy. Having just gotten off working at the cemetery, his rake was leaned up behind him. Kennedy sat across on his lap, parallel to the bench. Her small mini-skirt and crop top certainly didn’t prepare her for the breezy autumn night.

The wind caught hold of Kennedy’s skirt. Lee saw her brother trying to sneak a glance from her peripheral vision. She scowled at him. Paul, you’re disgusting. She grasped some cold grass under her legs..

“Lee, you surrre you don’t want a drinky-poo?” Paul said, swinging a can in front of her face.

“No thanks. Unlike you, I utilize my prefrontal cortex before making decisions.”

He furrowed his eyebrows in response.

“There you go again” Kennedy said from across the fire, “Using yer big fancy words, with yer big fancy sentences, with yer big fancy books with yer… Uh… with yer big stupid brain things. You’ll never get a boyfriend doing that.”

“Yea,” Brad cracked open a beer with one hand from across the fire, “I like my girls dumb and pretty.” He pulled Kennedy, who was giggling, closer to him. “See, like this lovely broad.” he took a big swig from his can and then brought her even closer. Their lips locked, with beer dribbling out from their tongues intertwining.

That’s disgusting. Lee turned away from the scene. The cemetery they were in was hazily lit from the moon that was being blocked by some wispy clouds. The repetitive gravestones had an aura of silent beauty to them that intrigued her. The deep gray was complemented by the forest green provided by the moss that clung to the gravestones. Brad isn’t very good at keeping this place clean, he’ll probably get fired from this job like his last.

Another large gust of wind blew into Lee’s face. The breeze caught Kennedy’s loose clothing, but also Brad’s rake that was leaning against the bench they were using. The rake fell onto the fire, kicking up a flurry of embers.

“Aaaahhh.” Kennedy let out a blood curdling scream. Paul and Brad bursted out laughing while Lee kept her somber expression directed straight at the fire.

Kennedy gasped for breath, “Oh my god, that was soooo scary I sobered right back up… Lee!”

“What?” Lee replied, keeping her gaze true.

“You didn’t scream.”

“Why would I scream? It was just a rake falling.”

She rolled her eyes, “It’s the ladies job to be a damsel in distress and let the guy comfort her.” she pushed her body more into Brad’s.

“Yea, you’ll never get laid with that icy cold attitude.” He added.

“Ha! Lee getting laid! That’s hilarious!” Paul fell backwards from laughing, dropping his empty can. His perpetual laughter was only interrupted by a repeating interval of hiccups.

You’re supposed to defend your- ugh- nevermind. I shouldn’t have expected anything from my useless brother.

Lee stood up, “I’m going to go for a walk, the fire is a bit warm.”

“Well of course you’re warm with that dopey outfit.” Kennedy pointed out her clothes, which consisted of gray sweatpants and a black hoodie.

She shook her head and walked off into the forest of gravestones without replying.

“Why’d you even invite her, Paul? She just gets Kennedy worked up.”

“Well, y’know the more the carrier.”

“It’s merrier Paul…”

###

“They could at least wait until I’m out of earshot.” Lee began twirling her hair with her right index finger. Her light steps crunched into the fallen dried leaves that covered the cemetery like a blanket.

“Does Brad even use that freakin’ rake?”

Her soft fingers of her left hand grazed over the course cold gravestones that filled the cemetery,

“Is this rude? I’m sorry, but it’s too fun.”

The sensation of rough rock that transitioned to soft moss then back to rock induced a slight smile on Lee’s face. She was now far enough away that she couldn’t hear nor see Paul and his friends. This is why I came.

Paul offered for her to tag along without expecting her to say yes. Probably more of a social convention since the topic came up between them. To his surprise, she said yes. It even seemed to him that she was excited about it. He read it as his little sister softening to his friends, which made him happy, but he read very wrong.

Lee didn’t necessarily hate her brother. Depending on the setting, she could even find him fun. What she did hate was her brother’s friends. When he was around those two it felt like a never ending barrage of insults. So why did she come? A simple answer. Because Paul had a car. He had a car and was going to a place she wanted to go to, the cemetery. He had a car and was going to a place she wanted to go at a time she’s always wanted to go at, nighttime.

Most people would be terrified of roaming around alone in a cemetery at night, but Lee wasn’t like most people. She self proclaimed herself as the bravest person she knew. Things that would scare or creep out other people didn’t bother her. Scary movies with a lot of gore, dissections in science class or haunted houses, none of them even made her flinch. This cemetery would be seen as dirty and creepy by most, but she was attracted to the serenity of the darkness it provided. It was a different point of view she possessed that other people just couldn’t understand. It's what made her different, special even. She didn’t get scared at all, in fact, this is where she feels the most comfortable, where other people would feel uncomfortable.

Getting lost in her egotistical thoughts, Lee found herself deep in the cemetery. The size of this place kind of surprised her, she wasn’t expecting such an expansive cemetery in her small town.

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The sound of crunching leaves came from behind her. They must’ve gotten bored without their punching bag around, I guess I’ll indulge them. She turned around and furrowed her eyebrows, preparing for more harassment. Her sight captured something much kinder to her eyes than her brother and his friends.

A black dog stood a couple feet away from her with its tail wagging. Its sleek coat showed it was well taken care of and it had a youthful demeanor to it. Lee didn’t take note of the lack of collar it wore but of what it was carrying in its mouth. It was a large rustic ring, with a hefty metal key attached to it. The key would most definitely make a nice ker-chunk sound when used.

The dog trotted right up to Lee, nudging its muzzle against her leg. A bit of slobber soaked into her gray sweatpants, but she couldn’t help herself from leaning down and petting the friendly dog.

“Where’d you come from?”

Her voice was much more upbeat talking to the friendly puppy.

“Woof.”

She scratched behind its ears and neck, finally taking note that it didn’t wear a collar.

“You aren’t lost are you?”

The dog dropped the keys onto the dead leaves below in response. It then turned around and trotted in the direction of the cemetery’s entrance.

“You’re keys- wait up!”

She snatched the keys off the ground and began jogging after the dog. The dog’s route was hardly efficient. It weaved back and forth between gravestones, glancing back at her to make sure she was following. It had become a game of reverse keep away. Lee’s leisurely stroll through the cemetery turned into a frantic chase after a mischievous dog.

The pair approached the Northwest corner of the cemetery, where the campfire had been set up. Lee, still focused on returning the keys back to the dog, noticed a lack of light as well as a lack of voices as they got closer. The dog stopped prancing and trotted over to some embers that were much too dim to have been a blazing fire thirty minutes ago. Beer cans were scattered around the remnants of the fire with the stench of piss covering the area. Disgusting. The dog seemed very intrigued with the smell of the smoldering embers.

“Even though you’re a dog, that’s still gross.”

Lee finally caught up to the dog. She walked up behind it and held the keys out.

“Here, uh, take it.”

The dog turned its attention from the fire to her, tilting its head.

“Please take it?”

No dice.

“Hey Brad,” Lee called out into the dark, “Does this dog work here with you or something?”

She strained her ears for a few seconds waiting for a response.

“Hey guys, if you’re trying to scare me you’re wasting time. I’m down to head back now.”

She swiveled around, focusing her eyes deep into the shadows, trying to spot any movement.

Without notice, the dog began prancing off, weaving between gravestones as if second nature. It made its way to the entrance of the cemetery.

“Ugh you’re so annoying. Good thing you’re cute.”

She ran after the dog again. Her legs already began to tire, showing her lack of physical ability. Her breaths became heavy. This had been the most exercise she’s had in a while. When she reached the gate of the cemetery, her eyes naturally went to a spot on the side of the road that happened to be empty.

“That asshat!”

That had been where Paul parked his care. Lee kicked a rock out on the road. She winced, both from the pain in her toe and another pain.

“I can’t believe they ditched me! That- eeerrrr.”

She walked to the side of the road and sat on the curb, embracing her legs in front of her and burying her head into her knees.

“Why- why’d I even come?”

A wet nose nudged against her shin. She quickly rubbed away her tears before looking up with glossy eyes. The dog sat next to her, but its playful demeanor was gone. It even looked… empathetic?

“Thanks for your condolences, but I’ll be fine.”

Lee stood up, brushing the dirt off her oversized sweatpants. She inhaled deeply, recomposing herself.

“You want to take these now?” She attempted one last time to hand back the keys to the dog. It showed no interest in taking them.

Lee let out a sigh and turned around. The gate was left open. At least they didn’t lock me in. Is that really the standard I’m setting for them? She grabbed hold of one side of the gate, swinging it closed. The joints of the gate squealed into the night before a metallic clang reverberated through the air. She brought the keys next to the small padlock on the gate.

“These are way too big.”

Lee released the gate and it crept open about a foot before resting partially closed. She shrugged her shoulders, good enough, I tried. It was probably Brad’s job to lock up the cemetery since he worked there, so she probably wouldn’t get in trouble for his lack of competence.

###

Lee’s feet were sore. Her calves were sore. Her legs were sore. Her whole body was sore. She was about thirty minutes into an over than hour long walk from the cemetery back to her place. There was no other choice but to walk back after her older brother ditched her. Pondering thoughts floated around in her head as she twirled the large keys around her nimble fingers. What should I do with these? She wasn’t going to just leave them in the cemetery and the dog refused to take them back.

“I guess I can give them to Brad next time I see him. Since he works at the cemetery I’m sure he knows what they go to.” she paused for a second and mumbled, “Should probably give them to him before he gets fired.”

The dog had followed Lee from the cemetery. It trotted at a faster pace than she was willing to walk so it would occasionally prance around her for a couple of laps. Seeing she was not paying any mind to its little game, it would purposely run into her legs, or nudge her from behind trying to increase her slow pace. Though Lee was mildly annoyed from her aching body, she grinned at its friendly behavior. When a dog seemed this fond of a person, who couldn’t help but be happy? Long trails of thoughts flowed through her mind like the fabric flowing down from an aerial silk dancer..

I wonder where his owner is. Is he abandoned? And what do these keys go with? There aren't any locks in the cemetery big enough for these. Do they belong to a mansion? Maybe… the dog was abandoned. Alone and without a place to go, it searched for shelter from a stormy night. It then found an abandoned mansion. Lonely, it took the keys and went searching for a companion to live with and found me. Now, we’ll head to a spacious mansion for just the two of us. Plenty of yard space for it to run around as it pleases and a large library for me. Just the two of us, no harassment, no responsibilities and no property taxes. Just me and my fluffy companion.

Lee shook her head, letting out a small giggle, “C’mon Lee, I thought you’d grown out of childish fantasies.” She looked down at the dog, who had just bumped into her again. “Can you go back to where you came from so you’re not my responsibility?”

Her words said one thing, but her fond smile said another.

###

Breathing heavily, Lee had finally made it back to her house… or trailer. Lee and Paul’s parents had split a long time ago. Their mother had won custody of them and was living with them. That much was at least on paper. Lee hadn’t seen her mom in over two months, she was always at her new boyfriend's place. Their mother got this place so her children wouldn’t be a bother in her plethora of love lives. The neighborhood had more than its fair share of crime. Luckily, being a local, Lee knew the safest way back, but it added more time to the already long trek. The trailer matched its surroundings, gaps of siding were missing with multiple pieces in the process of falling off. The foundations were beginning to deteriorate. The whole trailer slightly leaned towards the kitchen, causing one to get a head rush if they slept in the wrong direction. There was one bedroom, with a kitchen and small living room sharing the rest of the space. Paul took the bedroom and Lee took the couch in the main area. Leading up to the trailer was a small driveway only big enough for one car. Paul had parked quite crooked, with both of his front tires on the grass.

“At least you didn’t hit the house.”

She continued to twirl her hair in one hand and the keys in another, “What am I going to do with you?”

The dog had walked up to the door of the trailer, and looked back at her.

“I’m not letting you in my house. What if you make a mess? I don’t want to clean up dog piss.”

The dog turned around on cue, prancing over to Paul’s car. It lifted its leg and relieved itself onto the driver side’s wheel.

Lee couldn’t help herself, she burst out laughing, “Good boy, good boy.” She walked over to the dog giving it a nice scratch behind the ear as a reward. “Ok the deal is, I’ll let you in if you sleep with me... Ha! That kind of sounds bad, but you know what I mean.”

“Woof.”

“Oh, and don’t worry about being loud. Paul isn’t waking up anytime soon.”

She opened up the door and the dog rushed in. Its long nails scratched across the tile floors. Why am I talking to a dog? She walked over to her couch and collapsed. The tiredness of her body fully hit her now that she was laying down. Lee tossed the keys she was holding onto the coffee table creating a loud thud. She looked over to the kitchen, the dog was now sniffing every corner with curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

“Hey!” The dog turned to her, “Over here.” She patted the couch cushion by her feet.

The dog walked over, looking up on the couch, and then settled on the floor as if purposely teasing her.

Close enough I guess. She reached over the side of the couch, stroking the dog’s soft fur a few more times before her fatigue took hold of both her mind and body. She drifted off to sleep, with a small grin on her face.