The last fetch of joy

Buddy was happy we could resume our morning walks after being cooped up at home for 3 months. I would throw the ball and he would dutifully return it in his mouth, wagging his stumpy tail and waiting for me to throw it again. I was going to be late for work, but I couldn’t resist pleasing Buddy. I threw the ball again, and it went across the street. Buddy raced after the ball, of course, not seeing the oncoming truck. In a split second, love as I knew it ended, and my heart was crushed into tiny pieces.