waiting at sunset gate

Catrina and Bone Bone. Every sunset, Catrina waits at the desert gate purple curls bouncing, orchid shining for the lost pups to find their way home. Bone Bone is her helper. He has big purple eyes just like hers, so the little lost ones aren't scared. Tonight a wind blew cold. Bone Bone barked, just once. A tiny ghost dog was hiding behind the pillar. Catrina knelt, her black dress pooling around her skeleton knees. "You are okay," she whispered. "We saved a spot for you." Bone Bone touched noses with the little ghost. His tail wagged. And together, under that big orange sun, they walked him home.