A Good Feeling
Cassie giggled, uncontrollably, as she leaned her head back to catch raindrops on her tongue. Her umbrella held loosely on the ground next to her. A high-pitched bark marked the approach of her galloping oversized puppy, which seemed to have grown even bigger overnight.
Janet sighed contentedly as she looked out at her... her daughter. It felt so strange to say that, but also filled her with a wonderful comfort. She'd come to realize that this little girl filled a hole in her heart that she never knew she had. She was happy because Cassie was happy. It felt good.
Daniel called to her from behind. They'd returned with the groceries for the evening.
Janet thanked them but couldn't seem to pull herself away from the sight outside. A hand on her shoulder and then Daniel was standing beside her. A light laugh on her other side and she knew Sam was there too. The chuckle behind her let her know that Jack was watching as well. It was a good feeling having her friends around her.
All gazed out her window as the summer rain poured, saturating the ground below. But the torrent of rain had not fazed one little girl, who was kicking, hopping, and skipping in oversized galoshes. She was soaked in mud up to her knees, which disappeared below a mud-orange splattered yellow raincoat. Next to her, her normally blonde-colored puppy was now dripping in bright orange. Her umbrella was long forgotten, blowing in lazy circles and tumbling further away. Cassie trudged forward with the extra weight of a large stubborn puppy, gripping the hem of her raincoat, determinedly wanting her to go the other way.
They all laughed as they watched Cassie launch, with an elated screech, and land in the middle of the biggest mud puddle in the front yard. Her puppy didn't hesitate to jump in right after her.
Janet groaned, "She's gonna have to come in sometime, and I see me washing a very dirty little girl and her puppy in the near future." Daniel patted her shoulder, "We'll take care of the wet pooch for you, Janet. So you can take care of your little puddle jumper."
She laughed, they all did. She patted Daniel's hand on her shoulder, then gripped it in thanks. They all stayed that way, none wanting the moment to end. It was a really good feeling.
The End
