The quiet hum of the bird’s wings awoke her. She left her window open last evening so the cool night breeze could reach her. She peered up catching a glimpse of the robin outside her open window. It flew off as she shrugged off the blanket from the night. Pam, her Australian Shepard pup didn’t even budge from the bed, so tired was she from yesterday’s hike.
Bessie, her reliable RV, creaked as she got up from the bed, maneuvering around the dog and moving into the tight space of the bathroom to take care of her morning rituals. She came out looking over at Pam, who lifted her head slightly before turning away again to sleep, and started the coffee pot, grabbing her laptop and sitting down at the dinette which also served as her desk.
She checked the weather, 75 and sunny, a perfect day in Georgia. Today she was going to take Pam down to the river. Hearing a loud thud, she glanced behind her, seeing that Pam finally decided to join her, and got up to fill Pam’s dish with food, which Pam eagerly inhaled. When it came to food Pam had no slowing power.
“We’re going to the river today!” She said in a childlike voice to her dog. “Aren’t you excited! There will be a lot of new things to smell!” Pam wagged her tail and barked back at her in response, whimpering quietly until her leash was attached and the door opened.
They exited Bessie, locking the door behind her, not that she was worried about thieves, but it was a habit she liked to keep from her old life. As they walked down the trail towards the river she thought about her old life. Her fancy job, her expensive three-bedroom home, her sharp car. All things she thought she needed to have to live in the world. All things she thought you needed to show status in the world. All things she thought you needed to live the American Dream. What a joke that was. It wasn’t until she lost everything that she realized how silly she had been.
Pam pulled her along the trail, nearly dragging her behind her, but she was used to this behavior. Pam was a large, excitable dog, and she liked to be in charge, and it was something she didn’t bother fighting her on. It was a small price to pay for having such a loving, attentive, and protective dog around at all times.
Back to her thoughts, she remembered how it was when they first took her house, followed shortly after by her car. Her sudden hospitalization put her out of work for good. Her finances went to hell. She lost everything and quickly. She found herself, homeless, and staying with family and she needed to find a new way of life.
She considered several options for living and decided there was only one way she would live from now on – regardless of her income level, and that was free. She chose the RV lifestyle because it gave her the freedom to travel and see the world, as well as live a simpler life, less attached to material things.
They had reached the river and Pam was tugging, trying to get in the water. She looked down at Pam, and then looked at the restrictive leash holding her back. Glancing around to make sure no one was around, she reached down unclipping the leash from Pam’s collar.
“Be free, Pam.” She said thinking of herself, “Be free.” Pam bounded out into the river’s water, barking and playing. The moment was temporary, but the picture of Pam playing in the water meant everything to her. This was the true American dream.
