His golden, wavy earlocks flap in the late afternoon breeze. His mom glances over when they’re at the stoplight. She sees the moist, black tip of his snout wiggle, a collection of miniscule cobblestones doing a slow dance. The pup smiles and rests his tired head on the open window sill. It sits at the perfect height for this. The pup doesn’t know he’s not in a Tesla. Slobber dribbles down the handle and spills over the open window too, down the side of the passenger side door. It creates a small river among the faded red paint. He doesn’t know he’s not in a Lexus. The rubber floor mat he sits on picks up his golden hair as it sheds. The gray backseats are embedded with his fur as well.

His mom sees the array of automobiles driving down the street. She thinks about what’s for dinner, how many chores there are waiting for her at home, what tomorrow’s work day will look like, how many days till the weekend. Billy embraces the salty air as the truck drives over the Granby Street bridge and then the Willow Wood bridge. He sees the birds above. Smiling, fur flapping, drool dripping, brown eyes heavy from a day of fun but awake enough to take in the beautiful fall sky.

They get home. The pup uses the restroom. He and his mom then go inside. She carries her belongings into the house. The pup eats his dinner – chicken pate’ with chicken and salmon kibble. He looks expectantly for his dessert – a shishkobob, which his mom provides. She then prepares her dinner – chicken, rice, green beans.

Billy goes to the big bed and lies down, eyelids as heavy as cinderblocks. His mom is tired too. He sees her sitting at the table, reviewing her to-do list, eyeing the unopened mail, staring at her running shoes and the pile of laundry and unfinished paperwork. She sighs and rubs her eyes. Billy speaks from the bed, “Mama, come to sleep. Let tomorrow worry about itself.” She closes her laptop and notebook, leaves the table, and goes to sleep, cuddled beside the pup who is also worn out. His breathing is deep and calm, helping to slow her racing heart. She drifts off into a dream – of bridges, birds, dogs, and parks, as well as untold stories of friends and fun. He dreams of nothing, as he is depleted, having used all his energy at puppy day care.