Chapter Text
Dennis Whitaker hadn't originally planned to leave his hometown.
When he was a young kid, he first dreamed of being a veterinarian thanks to his eldest brother and a stuffed animal.
On a spring afternoon when he was only five, his older brother had brought home a stuffed animal dog named Pup. Dennis had been watching Winnie the Pooh on VHS in the living room, anxiously clutching on a corner of his favorite blanket.
"Dennis?" His brother had called from the kitchen. Dennis turned his head toward the sound of his brother's voice but made no move to go toward him. He was perfectly comfortable under his dark blue blanket that was twice the size of him. With a heavy sigh, his brother, David, walked in and leaned on the side of the case doorway separating the living room and kitchen. His eyes landed on Dennis with a tinge of jealousy.
"I got something for you." The thirteen-year-old tried again to get Dennis to walk over to him. Dennis' eyes spotted a dog plushie in the hands of his big brother and stood up with newfound energy. His left hand went to his side for balance while his right held onto the dark blue blanket. He dragged it over the dirty gray rug and stopped when he arrived at his brother's brown boots.
"Puppy!" Dennis dropped his blanket and reached up for the stuffed animal. His small arms couldn't quite reach though, much to his dismay.
"His name is Pup." David kneeled down to Dennis® height so the kid could grab the slightly weighted plush. Seeing the joy in Dennis' eyes replaced the jealousy in his own with pride.
"Pup!" Dennis exclaimed and hugged the toy. "He used to be Jude's, so you've gotta take real good care of 'em, you hear?" His brother smiled and gave a small laugh. Thrilled to be given the plush Dennis put the dog onto his blanket then wrapped it in a messy bundle. David's eyes flickered to the hallway attached to the living room. He let out a shaky sigh and put a hand protectively over Dennis' head.
"I'm going to go check on Mom. Promise to stay here with Pup? Go back to your tv?" he whispered with a slight shake in his voice.
Enamored by his new friend Dennis nodded and remained in the living room. Over that summer, Dennis and Pup were inseparable. They slept, ate, walked, watched tv, and brushed their teeth together. He didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to bring the plush to school in the fall.
"He doesn't need the damn dog!" His father yelled in frustration as he slammed the stuffed animal into the trashcan. The dog made contact with a cereal box, two cigarette cartons, and many soda cans.
"Joshua! Watch yourself!" Amy, Dennis' mother, shouted at her husband.
"Pick that out now." She commanded while holding Dennis tightly. Her irritated glare should have been enough to make the man fish out the stuffed animal. With a large huff Joshua left out the backdoor instead. Dennis had his head buried in the shoulder of his mother but the slam of the backdoor was enough for him to understand that his father had went outside for a smoke.
"I'm sorry, Dennis." Amy apologized as she gentled patted Dennis' back. She stood up with a pained groan and walked over toward the trash can.
"You know he doesn't mean it. Once they get this new contract figured out, he'll be just like before." She set him onto the kitchen counter. With a deep sigh she leaned down and grabbed the stuffed animal out.
"Here," she handed the toy over with more force than intended. Dennis clutched the dog to his chest and flashed his mother a tired look. Amy dragged over the nearest chair and sat down as quickly as she could. Her eyes matched that of Dennis' as they made temporary eye contact.
"I know," Amy sniffled.
"I know you blame me." Her voice broke midway through. Dennis looked down at Pup, unable to face how irritated his mother seemed. In exhaustion his mother then rested her elbows on the counter and hid her face in her hands. With her eyes no longer on him, Dennis' glazed-over eyes looked upwards then over toward his mother. A sharp inescapable tightness formed in his chest.
"Mommy?" He whispered in an attempt to get her attention. She didn't look up. So, in a second attempt, he placed Pup close enough that his false fur brushed against her arms.
"What, Dennis?! What do you want?!" The thirty-two-year-old woman snapped, her head lifting up abruptly. Dennis suddenly felt his heart in his ears.
"Pup.." he whispered, only wanting to help.
"I know. I got your dog." Amy let out an irritated sigh and rubbed at her temples.
"Pup.." Dennis repeated and tried to give her the plush again.
"Yeah, okay," Amy responded in frustrated defeat. Her hands wrapped around the dog and threw it at the backdoor. Dennis eyes began to water in reaction. Reality hit him in a way it often didn't. His hands reached out for Pup desperately as harsh tears fell down his face. Amy stood up and walked past him. She picked up the dog on her way out the backdoor. Dennis cried for what felt like hours. By the time David found him, Dennis had few tears left. His voice was hoarse and ached. Dennis felt like he was going to throw up his dinner. The boy hadn't realized his brother had entered the room until he was pulled into a warm embrace.
"Shh," David placed Dennis' head on his chest.
"Mom's okay. Dad's okay. You're okay. We're okay." The teenager whispered, his own voice shaken and strained.
"Pup," Dennis choked out between rapid hiccups and sniffles.
"I know," David whispered back. He stepped away just enough to look down at Dennis. David looked defeated and angry, alike Amy before, but his touch was much gentler. He wiped Dennis' tears with his thumb in a light touch as if Dennis would break if he pressed too hard.
"I got him all sewed up. I'll show you how I did it, yeah?" The older sibling did his best to smile.
That night David tucked in Dennis with a dark blue blanket, Pup, and a practice sewing patch. The golden retriever plush now had black thread keeping his right leg attached to the rest of his body.
"I'll patch him up next time," Dennis stumbled over his words slightly.
"Yeah?" David gave a weak smile as he finished tucking Dennis in, pressing the blanket under his legs.
"When you become a vet, you better give me some credit." the eldest tried to joke. Dennis tilted his head in curiosity.
"Vet?" he questioned.
"Yeah, they take care of sick and injured animals," David spoke as if the information was obvious. Dennis gave a slow blink and held Pup tighter.
"I'll be a vet," Dennis declared in a sleepy mumble.