Rumspringa

Rumspringa by Donna Lee Goldberg (a Short Story Contest entry) 

Rumshpringa*

Leah was walking Magenta. Suddenly, they saw a golden doodle happily running and jumping across the lawns near his house.

“Duke!”

They ran to him. Duke was off leash. His humans were missing.

Leah held Magenta’s leash as Magenta herded Duke home. The front door was open; the house was empty. They entered and stayed together until Duke’s family returned. Soon Margie came home, shocked, but relieved her third child was safe.

*During Rumspringa, Amish youth have the freedom to explore life outside their community.