This story definitely has the small-town details and relatable emotions that most Stephen King stories do. Ray and Mary are in their car heading to the Walmart to get gifts for Mary’s niece. She asks for him to stop at the Quik-Pik so she can get a purple ball for her niece. Their dog Bizznezz is in the back seat. Ray and Mary argue a lot, especially over his smoking. She goes in the Quik Pik to get the ball (and the cigarettes Premium Harmony he wanted). Eventually a worker comes out and tells him that Mary has collapsed and died. Ray goes in and ends up talking for a while with the people in the store, the EMTs, and forgets about Bizz in the car. He goes back out to find Bizz dead, and that’s when he finally cries.

This slice of life story is very detailed (the arguing and little fights between the husband and wife are relatable). I found it interesting that Ray seems shocked about his young wife’s death and really only “feels” when he finds the dog dead. Is it because it is his fault? Is the dog’s death more acceptable b/c dogs die young and his wife’s death at the tender age of 35, seems unbelievable?

My main takeaway from this story is the tragedies of life and how things can happen very quickly and throw you for a loop. Life is short and precious. Arguing, even over the mundane things Ray and Mary do, shouldn’t be what most of your life is.