Skunk

I had finally found a combination of pillows to make up for mine, which was in the wash. The open window let in cold air and the drone of cicadas.

Just before my eyes closed, a scratching noise, coming from a guitar, startled me. I got up to check it out. The noise actually came from outside. Something had fallen into a window well. The soft clawing and whimper of the animal encouraged my heroism. I ran downstairs to the garage and grabbed a flashlight.

Returning to my room for the best view, I turned on the searchlight, looking for that cute puppy. The window well right below was empty, as was the one to the left of me. Casting the light into the final well, I caught a glimpse of a black head with a white stripe. My rescue mission became a survival one.

The skunk attempted to climb out by pressing its back against the window pane and climbing the mesh screen. This brought it 2 feet short of ground level at each attempt. I had to do something.

I thought about sticking a board into the well but realized that the angle would be too steep to climb. All I could find was another window screen.

As I snuck the screen down the well, the skunk lifted its tail and postured itself against the intruding screen. At the first whiff of skunk, I dropped everything, ran inside, closed all the open windows and fell asleep.