With feet pounding on the fast-moving treadmill, her light brown hair bounced behind in happy little waves. Her deep blue eyes sparkled in the evening light shining through the window. With lightly tanned skin and a dusting of freckles across her nose, she practically shone from the inside out. Of course, it could have been the sweat, but I tend to think the prior. With only half a mile left, she was exhausted. But it was the good kind, somehow the weariness made her feel alive. With heart thumping in her chest, she slowly brought her feet to a halt and took a long drink. The water brought a cool sense of refreshment down her parched throat. Allergies were bad this year. With all the spring cottonwood flying, she didn't know how she would survive. Stepping off, she looked at her watch she smiled, 29,000 steps, a new record. She wished it could have been 30,000, that truly would have been a milestone. Grabbing the frozen strawberries, oat milk, and protein powder, she began to blend her shake. She was about to take a drink when a loud, rapid, “Thump thump thump,” interrupted her. She squinted at the door, wondering who It could be. She looked through the small hole, but couldn't see anything. It was the same as always, just her front porch and some hanging flowers. She shrugged it off, wondering if she was hearing things. But then, the knocks came again, even louder this time. “How strange is that?” she asked herself quietly. Finally gathering her courage, she slowly opened the door. Still, nothing. So turning she began to close the door but a blaring, “QUAAACKK,” stopped her in her tracks. Surprised, she looked down to see a tall goose, standing on her front mat. Afraid it would attack her she began waving her hands, “Shoe! Shoe!! Get out of here!” She exclaimed. It only cocked its head, then, to her utter astonishment, it spoke. “Who are you calling shoe?” He asked skeptically.

“Your… a… goose…”

“Well, what did you think?”

“I… I uh..” He cut her off, “anyway, the names Frank.” he bobbed his head quickly, “And I must come in!”