Karen finds her daughter Jenny holding her puppy Cinnabon, who Jenny says is sick.
1.How can digressions add depth to this scene?
2.Where can we “crack open” the existing scene to create space for digressions?
3.What sorts of digressions could go into each space?
When Karen came into the living room from the kitchen, her seven-year-old daughter Jenny was cross-legged on the floor, cradling Cinnabon in her lap. Karen about said dinner was ready, but the distress in Jenny’s eyes stopped her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Jenny sniffled. “Cinnabon’s sick.”
Kneeling on the tan carpet, Karen ran a finger over the puppy’s head. His coat, thick and smooth, felt like cotton. “What makes you think that?” she asked.
“He didn’t come when I called.”
“But honey, he hasn’t learned that yet.”
“He threw up, too.”
“Oh, dear.” Karne looked around but saw no sign of that. “Where?”
Jenny didn’t lift her eyes from the puppy. “On Daddy’s shoes.”
“His shoes? Aren’t they in his closet?”
“I took them out.”
Karen rocked back on her ankles. “Why?”
“To teach Cinnabon to fetch,” Jenny explained. “But he chewed up the shoelaces instead.”