When I found my mother dead I stepped outside to steady myself. It was a summer at its zenith. The night was now alive. Thatβs when I saw a leopard slug Climbing up the garage wall. It was like I was suffering A bad acid trip, all loss and no escape. My eyes wide, taking in the world Like it was some new form of reality. I could see the slugβs Slowly undulating body. I could see it looking in the dark. Nothing else seemed real, Until cars of family and friends Pulled into the driveway. It was almost two in the morning. We all went inside To say goodbye to mom. The next time I went out I could see only the trail But the slug was gone.