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Kacey watches as a little airplane plunges from the sky. From a nearby hilltop she yells "pull up, pull up!" The plane dives and climbs, over and over, struggling to survive. Suddenly, with a burst of energy, it soars for the stars!

"Bravo, bravo," Kacey cheers, but her joy is fleeting. Kacey sees brilliant lights cascade from the heavens, illuminating the sky like fireworks. The little plane is gone. Kacey runs toward the lights in search of remains.

Her steps become labored, as if trudging through mud. She tosses, turns, and clutches something smooth. Her thoughts drift from the hilltop to the soft texture in her hand. She opens her eyes and realizes she's holding a blanket. She's in her king-size bed. She lays still, staring at the textured ceiling and recounting the sad dream. With a corner of the blanket, she wipes tears and sleep from her face.

She looks at the alarm clock. It reads 7:13. Kacey flips the blanket to the other side of the bed, pushes herself to a sitting position, throws her feet to the floor, and wiggles her toes into her favorite fuzzy slippers. She reaches down to her beloved dog, Sophie, who sleeps next to the bed on an old comforter.

"Hey, pooch. You ready to get up?"

Sometimes Sophie lays there while Kacey brushes her teeth. This day, the dog jumps up and twists and turns as if offered a meaty bone. She lets her pink tongue dangle from one side of her mouth.

Kacey rubs Sophie's golden ears and kisses her furry forehead. "You think we're going to walk, don't you?" The dog gets so excited she jumps on the bed. "No, Sophie. I'm going to write." Kacey points to the bedroom door. "Downstairs, girl. I need caffeine."

Kacey clings to the rail as she trudges down the stairs. Sophie flies ahead of her and curves into the heart of the house, a mahogany paneled great room. Kacey always wanted to paint the wood a bright cream color, but her husband, Pete, likes the room as is.

As she walks to the television set and clicks on "Good Morning America," her slipper slides on pieces of shredded envelope left by the green-leather sofa. Kacey reaches down to pick up the paper. Sophie grabs the biggest piece and runs around the room, as if playing chase.

"You are one big mess, you mutt," Kacey says.

An assortment of Sophie's treasures lay all over the room. An eyeless Elmo doll sticks out from under the couch. A large bone lays by the fireplace. Half-chewed pigs' ears lay mutilated in the middle.

"You need to go out," Kacey says. Sophie races to the door and scratches.

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