One day my best friend Suzy had fallen in the slippery-dry grass in her back yard while playing with her Dalmatian, Dolly. Suzy-Q, as everyone called her, was as pretty as could be with emerald eyes and blonde curls that jiggled and danced when she walked or ran. Suzy-Q ran up the back steps and burst into the kitchen. Her big eyes were full of tears. Dolly was right behind her, looking most concerned. I was close behind. I wanted to know what all this fuss was about.
Suzy showed Mom her “scratched” arm (There really wasn’t a scratch on her!). But my mom just patted her back and led her to the sink where she washed her arm with warm, soapy water and gently dried it. Then she rubbed some lotion into her arm and asked her if she’d like some milk and cookies. Suzy shook her head up and down, her long eyelashes still wet with tears. She helped herself to three chocolate chip cookies. When my hand went into the cookie jar, Mom shook her head and said, “You’ll ruin your dinner.”