Ralph had blonde curly hair. It bounced on his head. Leo was a ginger and white shorthair exotic cat. Oscar was a fox red Labrador.
At bedtime, Ralph held his soft yellow ball. It slipped from his hands. It went roll, roll, roll, under the little gate.
"Oh no," whispered Ralph. Leo's tail went swish. Oscar's nose went sniff sniff.
⁂
Into the garden they went. Ralph took tiny steps. Leo went tap tap. Oscar went pad pad.
The ball sat by the apple tree. A leaf sat on top, like a green hat. "There you are!" said Ralph.
He reached out softly. The leaf went whoosh. The ball popped away, soft and slow.
Oscar lay down like a warm rug. Leo gave one small paw tap. Ralph scooped the ball close.
"Thank you," said Ralph. Leo purred brrr. Oscar's tail went thump thump thump.
⁂
Back to bed they went. Ball by pillow. Cat by toes. Dog by door.
Ralph's curls lay still. He hugged the ball and whispered, night night. All was soft. All was home.
