Whispered Prayers

by Alex Grayson

“Whoa there, kid,” she says, holding out her hands. “What’s the rush?” I slip on my hat and force back a chuckle when Daniel’s words come out way too fast and sound like one long word. “Mr.AlexanderhashorsesandhesaidIcouldgoseethemwithim.” He pauses just long enough to take a breath. “Can I, Mom? Can I?” She looks over at me, and I give her a chin lift, letting her know it’s okay. Instead of answering Daniel, she walks over to me with him following her, his head tipped back, looking at her with a pleading look. “Are you sure it’s okay? Daniel can be… quite rambunctious at times.” Daniel switches his focus to me, his lips moving as he silently says please over and over again. “Yeah. We’ll be fine,” I tell her. “Yes!” Daniel screeches. He shoves the puppy into his mother’s arms and runs to grab his jacket. “Hat and gloves too, Daniel!” Gwen says, laughing at her son’s animated behavior. Once he has both on, along with his boots, Gwen stops him when he tries to pass by her. She squats down in front of him and puts the puppy on the floor between her legs. He starts waddling away immediately. “You listen to Mr. Alexander, you hear? And keep your hat and gloves on the whole time.” He nods rapidly with a big grin, and she zips up his coat to just below his chin. Before the puppy can get too far away, she scoops him up and stands. Facing me once again, she says, “Please keep a good eye on him.” As any mother would be, she’s worried about her child being near a large animal. I can’...