Daily Prompt: BFFs

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from the person you’re the closest to?

***

All that I have cared about is gone.
Everyone I loved has been taken away.
All that remains is this bottle, these nightmares, and the mistakes that I have yet to make.
But I will… I’m sure I will.

Once I had a family. Once I had money. Once I had a life filled with ambition and promise.
Those things are gone now.

It happened slowly at first. The shine disappeared.
Disappeared from the things I loved. Then slowly, but surely they all vanished.
Some crawled away of their own accord. Others I shoved out.
The process took years but I was thorough. Made sure it was complete.

Only one thing left to do before…

Wait, there is one remaining remora that I cannot shake.
This damn dog will not let go. Where did she come from? When did she latch on?
Why?

This nameless yellow cur. If she ever had a name, I do not recall it.
I cannot loosen her.

She stays by my side. Sleeps in the alley with her head on my lap.
I find myself looking. Looking for scraps.
For her.
She is either a demon or an angel, keeping me alive.

I curse her and bless her with the same breath.

***

I would be willing to wager that these guys didn’t have to figure out what “BFF” was before writing. Enjoy: