The silver Dodge Durango, pulled up the gravel road toward a grey house with blue edging. Flowers bloomed all around, the air was heavy with the scent of their blooms.
" Momma, " Momma how long will you be gone," asked the little brown eyed girl.
" Just two days. But Sue, is going to stay with you honey. " The mother offered gently. She too, was sad that she had to leave her daughter.
They drove up to the walkway and got out of the vehicle. The Grandmother was there to meet them. Bringing everyone inside, including Sue, there was some joy for a while. Until the mother left. The little girl and her friend made their way to the bedroom.
" This was your mother’s room. " The grayed grandmother informed. The little girl who clung to the large black and tan dog. " Can Sue sleep with me? " mumbled the upset little voice.
" Yes, but not in the bed, I made her a little place on the floor. " The grandma motioned them inside the room. The grandma pushed open the curtains and let the sun come inside.
The little girl saw ribbons and all sorts of other trophies through out the room." Did mama win all these? " came her weak little voice.
" She did. Your momma loved to compete at anything." The Grandmother smiled.
" Momma said I could show at the puppy shows after Sue has her puppies. " The little girl proudly announced.
" Aw. I am sure you will do just as well as your momma did with Sue. " The grandmother turned an eyed to the very pregnant Sue.
Sue on the other hand was already asleep on the little pile of old blankets that Grandma had made for her.
" Go a head and put your things away. Then wash up and come down for dinner. " The Grandmother, turned on her heel and headed out, the room to finish getting dinner done.
When the little girl came down stairs a little later, dinner was ready and her Grandparents were waiting. While they ate, so did Sue. Sue was napping again, they watched an evening show. She woke up long enough to escort the little girl to the bedroom. Both fell asleep to the rustling sounds of the Grandparents below.
The following day was filled with, the daily chores of a small ranch. The little girl and Sue helped feed chickens, water horses and clean stalls. That right the little girl fell asleep early. In the middle of the night Sue became restless . She urged the little girl to wake up. When the little girl did, she noticed that there was something wrong with Sue. She was breathing hard and sweaty.
" Grandma, Grandma " called the little girl at the top of her lungs.
The grandma came in a rush to see the little girl crying and holding Sue’s head in her lap.
" What wrong with her?"
"Anne , honey Sue’s going to be a mommy. Why don’t you go get your Grandpa and tell him to start warming up some water. " The grandmother rolled up the sleeves on her flannel night gown and got down on the floor, next to Sue.
All night long the three worked. Boiling water, and getting more blankets and towels. About 5:00 O ‘ clock in the morning the rustling of nine tiny puppies could be heard.
" Well Sue, mama is going to be very proud of you." The sleepy little voice stated with a smile of her own.
" Think its time you went to bed. ‘ The Grandmother, coaxed the sleepy one to her bed.
" I think I’m gonna keep the very last one." The girl smiled. Her dimples showing she added "Because, she’s just like her momma. " She went to sleep soon after, those words were spoken.
" I think, I know another one just like her mama, too. " Grandma added right before she kissed the angel sleeping face. " Good night honey. " As the door closed, on the sleeping little ones, the new mother took this time to enjoy her new arrivals as well.
