Bitch: Transformation

The RV came to a stop with a lurch on a mountain turnout.

My heart fluttered, but there was no where to run, nothing to do but face the Pastor and hope that he will take pity on me, us.

I peeked around again. Mother was watching this time and motioned me forward. “Well, come on up here.”

Father stood, not tall but his wispy hair on top grazing the roof.

“So you say she can understand what I’m saying?” The pastor was dubious.

This opened the floodgates for the children.

“Dad YOU said that God would send us another Dog!”

“Yes, just ask her a question.”

“Watch, I’ll show you.”

“Do you know what I’m saying?” asked the pastor.

I nodded.

“See I told you.”

“You said that we could have another dog.”

“What’s your name?”

“She can only answer yes and no silly.”

“She certainly seemed to understand what I said to her.” Mother chimed in, “Although I don’t even have a guess as to what breed she might be a mix of... her eyes are so intelligent.”

“Does your name start with ‘A’?

“Ugh, that’s going to take forever.”

“Did God send you to us?”

I looked askance at the pastor. He looked back at me.

“Can you understand me?” he asked.

I nodded. He glanced at mother and then back.

“See she understood you.”

“Do you answer yes to every question?” The pastor was unconvinced.

I shook my head.

“How ’bout no? Do you say no to everything?” The pastor was smiling a half smile.

I shook my head.

“Hmmm...”

“She knows math dad!”

“Really?” he wondered aloud.

“Show him. What’s 2 plus 2?”

I nodded four times.

“How about division? What’s ten divided by five?” He was playing along with the joke.

I nodded two times.

“Cool.”

“I tole’ you.”

Suddenly he perked up. “How did you? Did you...? Quiet children! In the name of Jesus I command you to tell me the truth, ’Do you truly understand what I am saying?” And then he stared intently into my eyes.

I nodded once very slowly. Yes. Yes. Yes.

“Are you here, for us? A message? A messenger?”

I shook my head.

“Do you need our help?”

I nodded.

“Well then it’s settled. Balam had a talking mule, why can’t we have a talking dog? What kind of dog are you?”

I shrugged or at least as close as I could get.

Then I heard the sharp intake of breath and turned to see Apoc behind me.