Splinters: Part One

Part One | 9

When we all sang the closing song, the priest left and then everyone began to file out from their pews. I turned, seeing Collie stand up with who I assumed to be her family. The same boy who was behind her and a girl with bright blonde hair, which might be dyed, stood with an older looking lady and a gray haired man. It was easy to assume who were the siblings and who were the parents. Collie glanced at me, as if to ask me what was wrong, but I didn't show any expression.

I emerged from the pew and walked down the aisle, passing by Collie's pew. I felt her eyes on my body as I continued and hoped that Ursanne and her hadn't both looked at each other, but the hope was a lost cause because when Ursanne had passed her, she muttered a swear word towards Collie.

"What did I hear you just say, Ursanne?" Melissa questioned.

"Nothing."

"No, look at me."

By now, we were out of the church, walking down the steps toward the sidewalk.

"Do you not know where we just came from, Ursanne Renee?"

"Yes..." Ursanne murmured.

She turned to her mother as I stood with the rest of the girls on the side. Melissa pointed at her as Ursanne crossed her arms and peered up at her mother.

"Who did you say that to?"

"No one."

Greg stepped forward. "Ursanne."

"Colleen."

"Colleen who?" Melissa pressed on.

"Mathers."

I lowered my eyes. I'd never felt so awkward since being with the Piersons, and it wasn't even me who was in trouble.

"Why?" Greg asked.

"Because she glared at me."

"So what, that gives you the right to do that?"

"It's not like I'm lying, Mom!" Ursanne said, her fists clenching as her arms fell to her sides.

Just then, Collie was coming down the steps with her family and glanced at us before walking to their car with them. She kept walking, and this time, she didn't look back at me.

"We'll talk about this at home," Melissa said. 

...

While the girls all played upstairs and Melissa, Greg, and Ursanne spoke in the master bedroom, I sat in my own bedroom, wondering what to do.

A sudden bark caught my attention when I loosened my tie. Potey.

I looked out of my window and saw the brown fluffy dog pouncing at the grass. I stared at him, watching as he did things only a dog would do. He lay down on his back and made weird movements against the green lawn. It was at the moment that I realized how gentle and little Potey really was. He wasn't a raging bull-dog. He was just weird and happy. 

Slipping out of my bedroom, I made my way downstairs and opened the back porch door. The sliding sound of the door caught his attention as I stepped out and closed it behind me. Advancing towards the dog cautiously and knowingly, I lowered my body.

My hand was shaking as I neared him, not sure of what to expect.

When he suddenly jumped towards me, I let out a strangled grunt and fell backwards onto the grass. Potey jumped on top of me, making me lose breath. I turned over and buried my face into the grass. It was quiet for a moment until I felt something wet touch my hands and hair and then the sounds of sniffling. Slowly, I lifted my head and my face met the wet tongue of Potey.