Hesitating the otter decided to continue digging where he found the bones. Shifting the soil with the shovel, there was a ‘klunk.’ Clearing more soil around the object, he wasn’t sure, but it was beginning to look like a large rock. The shape was irregular, ‘not that rocks are all one shape.’ He thought.

Reaching down and moving soil away with their paw, they saw what looked like teeth, and the otter immediately jumped back in surprise.

“This is a skull.” The otter said, realizing there may be more. He walked back to his car, retrieving a trowel and a brush.

Returning to his discovery, the otter began to carefully remove soil surrounding the bones. Being mindful, as not to disturb their resting spot. The otter stopped and stood up, thinking.

“I need to tell the owner what I found. What should I say… Guess I show her.” He said looking around, took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Ok.”

Walking up to the front door, the otter knocked 3 times.

The owner opened the door. “How’s everything going? Do you need anything?”

“Well, not exactly but I found something. Something, big. It’s hard to explain, so I’ll show you.”

“I don’t know what I should do.” The otter said as they walked back around the garage. Stopping and turning to look, the owner followed suit. The owner saw a few white objects in the dirt. Taking a step back when she realized what it was. Turning to the otter they looked confused.

“I’m sorry but I just ah… didn’t know how to explain it.”

“Uh, well it is hard to put into words.” The owner scratched her wrist unsure what to do. “I don’t know, we should call the police, I guess. Not sure who else to call.” Turning to the otter.

“Makes sense. They can tell us what needs to or should be done. Uh, huh… didn’t expect anything like this today.”

“Uh, yeah… hm.” The owner turned, hesitated, and went inside to get the phone.

***

Sometime passed by as the otter continued to work on another section of the flowerbed. Using the shovel to loosen large stone that was buried, he picked it up and set it down on the grass. Looking up at the driveway he saw a police car pull in. Standing up and taking his gloves off, he called to the owner who was sitting on the deck, reading.

Willow Street, it’s a nice, quiet neighborhood. A long line of trees divides the houses from the busy freeway a short distance away. Well maybe this area is not as quiet as one may think it would be.

              A smooth red car with an Autilin pulls into a driveway of a single level home, a nice one. Well maintained and a second driveway leading to a barn in the back, sitting by a small pond with cattails.

              A young guy got out of the parked car, put on gloves and walked to the trunk opening it. Tools, garden tools filled their trunk. Pulling out a shovel, they closed the trunk. Walking up to the garage and resting the shovel against the siding they switch to a 4 long tined rake.

              Digging for stones that had settled in the soil over time in the flowerbed. This was his job to do before the owner and he can put weed barrier down. Rebuilding the flowerbed so it looks cleaner and maintained.

              Moving around to the back of the garage was more flowerbed. Removing the top layer of stones and moving them to the side, he took his shovel and dug. For more large rocks that had sunken down in the soil. ‘Thwack!’

              He tried a few times to pry it out but no luck. The shovel just scraped it each time. Moving more soil away and getting another angle. The rock moved, so he bent down to pick it up. It was a strange rock he thought. Turning it over his eyes got big in shock. This was no rock it was a bone. ‘Maybe a dog bone.’ He thought. Over the course of the next hour, he had found 2 more bones. These were cut or broken more like and they fit back together.

              Setting the bones down in a safe place, the owner came out to see the progress. The young guy stood up to greet her, she held a water bottle.

              “Looks like your making progress.” She said.

              “Yeah, I hope so. Heh.” He replied with a smile.

“Would you like some water?” The owner asked holding up the water bottle.

“Sure, thank you.” The otter replied, taking a drink. Looking at the time on his phone. “It’s just about 2 o’clock, I can stay for another hour. Thin there’s a few things at home I need to take care of.”

“Ok,” the owner said going back inside.

Leaving the otter or gardener, to get back to work. Looking up and down the flowerbed, there was only one spot left to dig. Past the air conditioner the flowerbed stopped next to the door. Grabbing the shovel, digging and removing the first scoop. There was a surprise, red-ants crawled all over. It was clearly a nest.

“Great, this’ll be fun. huh.”

Here is a story I want to tell. We don’t exactly how to say it but I need to recount the memories.