Lost and Found(plotting)

         Sarah dreamed in black, white, and shades of gray.  People with blurred faces, their voices like faraway whispers that teased her ears.  The streets were never-ending, with people traveling up and down them with errands of their own.  And the dog, the same scruffy, black and white dog with something in its mouth that Sarah could not identify.
         Always she woke, shaken and pale.  She had the dream every night since her father died, killed in a car accident, and that was three months ago.  Sarah believed that your dreams mean something, that they try to tell a story.  For the life of her, she had no clue about this one that haunted her nights.  As always, she shook her head in bewilderment and frustration, and got up to start her day.  She worked at the local diner in her town, waiting tables and hoping for good tips.  This day was no different than any other.  At least that's what she thought as she went in to work.
         The usual customers awaited her attention.  The regular coffee drinkers that spent their time talking about the town's goings on.  She felt sad for them.  Didn't they have a place to go to spend their day?  Putting on a smile, she headed for her first customer of the day.  The day proceeded rather quickly, nothing unusual till this little gray haired old lady came into the diner.  She was someone Sarah had not seen before, and she knew everyone that lived in town.  Sarah quickly went over to her to take her order.
"Afternoon, ma'am.  May I get you something to drink?" Sarah said pleasantly.
"Yes, dear Sarah.  I would like a cup of tea and your company for a bit of your time."
         Sarah jumped back in amazement.  How did this old woman know her name?  Why did she want her to sit down at the table with her?
"Umm, I can bring you your tea, ma'am, but I am afraid I cannot sit with you while I am working."
         The old woman nodded in understanding. "That's fine, dear.  I'll wait till you are off.  Isn't too much longer now, is it?"
         Again, Sarah looked perplexed.  How did she know these things?  She decided she would sit with the elderly woman and find out the answers to her questions.
         Minutes later, Sarah was sitting with Dora, the old woman.  She had introduced herself like they were old friends meeting after a long time apart.  Dora smiled at Sarah's bewildered expression and proceeded to tell her about knowing her late father.  They were best friends at one time and were very close.
"I can see, dear, that his passing still pains you.  Tell me, are you having any weird dreams of late?"  Sarah nodded mutely.  "Please dear, do tell me about them."
Sarah quickly told her of the dreams and the dog with something in its mouth.  She told Dora that no matter how hard she tried, she could not find out what that "something" was.  "Well, I'm no expert, Sarah, but I would suggest that you ask the dog."  Looking skeptically at Dora, Sarah agreed to do just that.
         That night, the dream came again.  Sarah searched the streets for the dog.
Finally, she found it.  The dog gazed patiently at her, as if expecting her to do something.  She hesitantly asked the dog what it had in its mouth.  The dog dropped a letter at her feet.  Sarah noticed that the letter was addressed to her, but had no trace on the outside of the envelope who it was from.  Opening the letter, she slowly read the contents.
Dear Sarah,
         Please don't grieve for me anymore.  It breaks my heart to see you so sad.  I am in a better place and am always watching over you.  I am with you now and forever.  Be happy and live your life.
Dad
         Sarah dropped the letter in shock and quickly woke up.  Tears streaming down her face, she finally knew the meaning of the dream.  Her father had written her from beyond and reached out to her in her dream by means of that scruffy dog and the envelope it held.  He wanted her to let go.  He wanted her to move on.  Smiling sadly, she wiped the tears from her face and lied back down on her bed.  For the rest of the night, she no longer had that dream.