Mutt passes the hobby shop window, hackles decorate his spine, reflection mimics his pose. He’s afraid of existing.   

Spools of ribbons align like a fractured rainbow, inside the hobby shop, a breeze from the air conditioner tests the mettle of Scotch Tape securing the ribbons ending in place. Dorothy, an employee at the store, put the tape on all the ribbon spools. It took her an afternoon to finish the task.

The store’s phone rings and Dorothy answers the call. 

“Hello.” She says.

“Do you know there’s a dog out here growling at your window?” An anonymous voice explains.

“Oh my.” She says. “Do you know why?”

“I don’t know.” The voice replies. “It appears to be he’s barking at nothing.”

“Hmmm…how odd…I’ll go check it out.” She says. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“You’re welcome.” The voice says.

Dorothy approaches the window, her frame overcasts mutt’s reflection, mutt focuses on Dorothy peering at him through the window. He’s no longer afraid. He’s confused. He back peddles from the window and scampers off down the sidewalk. Dorothy shrugs.

“Guess he was just another ‘fraidy-cat.”