Marlee Has A Secret

Marlee was so excited! She had a secret. She was beside herself. She needed to tell somebody, but she couldn't because you can't tell secrets. Then she remembered Stashia, her Grandma B's big old wrinkled dog. Stashia was her first and best friend; she could tell Stashia anything. She and Stashia had been sharing secrets for a long time. They had shared treats, gone through potty training, and gotten into trouble many times throughout the years. Marlee had even talked Stashia out of running away once when Grandma B had scolded her for knocking down her curtain rods. Those pesky squirrels were the cause of that. It was certainly not Stashia's fault.

Stashia had gotten lost during a blizzard trying to save Marlee's life as well as going with her to strike it rich panning for gold.

Then Marlee and her family went on a long long vacation and left her home. She got so lonesome for that little girl. She would sit on the porch and wait and wait hoping that she and Grandma B would soon come home.

Stashia made a noise in her throat when she remembered that Marlee had this great idea of going on a hot air balloon to find the magic apple.

She "dog grinned" remembering Marlee's job interview. "That had been something. She always wanted to make money. What she got was ice cream. I can't fault the girl for that."

Marlee had gone on an exciting Pirate Adventure too. Stashia loved her little pirate outfit and her gorgeous princess picture. "Someday there will be another story about that," Stashia thought.

Stashia sighed and thought, "Then Grandma B had the brilliant idea of getting cats and a goat. I thought for awhile that Marlee loved them more than me. But she still loves me. I see her coming to me now with a big smile on her face. She has some mischief on her mind or a new adventure I'm not sure which. Well, bring it on, Little One. Am I going to get into trouble again?"

Marlee was giggling and was so excited. She finally said, "Okay, Stashia, I'm going to tell you a secret, but you can't tell anyone, okay?"
Stashia thought, "Like who do you think I'm going to tell?"
Marlee leaned over and whispered in Stashia's ear, "I am going to have a tea party for my birthday tomorrow. Isn't that going to be fun?"

Stashia laid her head down and thought, "I know I won't get to go to the party, but you have fun. I'll keep the house safe and sound for you, but bring me back some treats, okay?"