Phobia

Lynn inhaled slowly, trying to calm her fears, but as she exhaled, a whine of dread also escaped.

“What is it now?” her mother questioned, annoyance tingeing her tone.

“This is a really horrible idea,” Lynn replied. She could feel her mother rolling her eyes in the front seat.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” she exclaimed. “You’ll have to get over it someday, so why not today?” Lynn fidgeted, not wanting to get into the same fight again today.

“It’s a little terrier. It’s not going to hurt you.”

“Terriers are known for hyperactivity, which can lead to aggressiveness,” Lynn recited from the Dogs 101 show her father made her watch.

“Misty’s a sweetheart,” her mother said with finality. Lynn clutched her gold star pendant necklace, searching for comfort. A few silent minutes passed until Lynn’s father called out, “We’re here!” and the family stepped into the animal shelter, Lynn with more apprehension than most.

“We’re to pick up Misty,” Lynn’s mother told the receptionist over the background noise of barking dogs.

“Right this way,” the cheery blonde said, leading the group to a hall.

“I’m staying here,” Lynn said hurriedly. Her mother glared at her, but acquiesced.

“So be it.” With her family gone, Lynn sat in the lobby and retreated into herself.  ‘I just have to ignore them,’ she thought, trying hard to block the sound. But as her parents entered the kennels, the dogs got louder. Lynn remembered everything.

“Hi, puppy!” her eight-year-old self said, stroking the black lab’s head.

“His name is Bruiser!” the owner called. Lynn played as her parents chatted with Mr. Silvestre, the new neighbor. The dog played roughly, knocking Lynn over. Suddenly he attacked, barking sharply and biting into Lynn’s stomach. The adults ran over when they heard Lynn scream.

“Mama!” Lynn cried.

“Whoa! I didn’t know he didn’t like kids!” Mr. Silvestre exclaimed, pulling the dog off Lynn’s small frame.

“What did you do, Lynn?” her mother shouted. “What did you do?”

A jolt from her father brought her to the present. Lynn was breathing heavily, not processing what her eyes saw.

“We’re back honey,” he said, gesturing to his wife and new dog. Lynn stared and the dog fearfully, eyebrows, knitting together.

“Will she be OK?” the receptionist questioned.

“She’ll be fine. She has a dog phobia, but misty will help her, won’t she?” her mother responded, directing her attention to the white puffball terrier. The family paid for Misty and left, Lynn trailing her parents. The ride home was silent except for Misty’s occasional yipping, worsening Lynn’s anxiety. As soon as they entered the house, she made a bee-line for the privacy of her room, catching her mom’s exasperated sigh on the way. Lynn rocked back and forth on her bed, holding tightly to her teddy bear plush. She began humming “You Are My Sunshine” to calm herself. Her white bedroom door was pushed ajar, and in walked misty the terrier.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked the dog nervously. Misty scrambled on the bed, and Lynn shrieked. The terrier looked just as scared as she was. Lynn stared it down as Misty circled and lied down, glancing at her.

“Uh-Uh…OK…” Lynn stuttered. She stared at the dog for a long time, debating running away or trying to pet it, for her parents. Finally, she slowly reached out and touched Misty’s fluffy coat. Lynn cautiously stroked the dog’s back. Misty looked at Lynn with what looked like a smile.

“OK,” Lynn exhaled,”OK.”