Fiction | Drabble | Puppy Dog Series

Part 7/2: Xolotl Tries To Speak

But nothing happens.

Today’s random word prompt is discipline.

The author created this AI image of young Xolotl with Midjourney. S. I. James owns copyright and provenance, per Midjourney ToS.

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“We’re gonna have so much fun together!”
Say something, I tell myself.

But what?
Me too! Can we play now? Heck yeah!

Or, I love you!

Pausing for a beat to take in her heavy hand, rubbing my head playfully, I open my mouth.
“Yap!”
Try again.
“Yip!”
I’m desperately writhing in her arms now.

“Yip! Yap — Grrrr,” I say.
She laughs, though. My tail thumps happily.

“Isn’t Xototl great, Auntie?” she says.
“Dat dog need some 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖,” Auntie says, passing me and my girl.

I cut my eyes away from that Auntie — an action I would live to regret.

© Scarlet Ibis James, 2024: All Rights Reserved.

This drabble is in response to a prompt by Grim Flandango, who challenges you and me “to partake in the…