So Jake, how's it going? It was chilly last night; were you warm enough? Did you get the extra blanket out that I packed? Or were you too proud for that? Or did you even remember that it was there? Was getting up this morning like 'old hat'? I woke up today and I have to admit it was several minutes before I thought about the fact that you weren't in the house. I was concentrating on getting up in time to get Grace ready to leave by 7:30. As I made my way downstairs, I thought, "Oh, Jake's still 'outside' (that's how I think of it in my head - not that you're 'at camp', but that you're 'outside'), I wonder what the weather is like there." Well, it's 1:00 in the afternoon, and the weather channel online says that it's beautiful where you are - sunny and mid 70's. It's supposed get a little cloudy tonight and maybe a little chilly again, but no rain. When I come to get you tomorrow morning, it should be partly sunny and warm. All good.
Yes, I'm already coming to get you tomorrow morning. I know it seems lightening fast to you, but to me it's been a long time. I really do miss your smiling freckly face and your blue eyes, peeking out from under that swash of red hair. If you go for a whole week next year, it will seem like months.
I have some sad news. By the time you get home tomorrow, even by the time I get home today, I'm afraid that little Pudge will no longer be with us. He was not looking good this morning when I went in to feed them all. He was having trouble staying right side up, and he kept dropping to the bottom of the tank. I prepared some new water and took him out of the tank, along with Cosmo and Strawberry Shortcake (they seem to be fine) and put them all in the new water. I cleaned the tank for them and put them all back. He was trying real hard to right himself and stay afloat, but he got weaker and weaker all the time. When I left the house to go to work (I stayed as long as I could and watched over him), he wasn't doing well. He wasn't moving much at all, laying upside down at the bottom, looking at me, breathing slowly. Cosmo and Strawberry seemed to be trying to rally him - swimming to him and nudging his fins. But, I'm afraid it was no use. I'm sorry, but I think we've lost him. Perhaps Pudge was older than the others. There's really no way to tell with goldfish. Or, perhaps he was just too overweight. I mean, goldfish aren't usually shaped like golfballs with fins, right? In any event, I guess it was just his time. Grace and I will bury him for you tonight, next to Wanda, in the garden.
Cosmo and Strawberry will continue on without him, and we'll continue to enjoy their company, along with Cookie and Peanut, who miss you very much.
As do we all.
See you tomorrow big guy. Can't wait.
Love, Mom
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