Chapter 8 Sebastian
Sebastian
“Apuppy. I want to get Charlie a puppy.”
Aspen’s eyes widen and she nods. Her flushed cheeks are pale and she still looks shaky but in a different kind of way.
“Are you okay, Aspen? If you don’t feel up to it, I’ll take care of this myself.”
“No, no. I’m good. I’d love to help you. And I know just what you’re looking for. One of my friends has a golden retriever that just had puppies a couple of months ago. They’re ready to go.”
“Terrific! I knew you would be just the person to help me. Can we go take a look at them?”
“Yeah. Of course. I’ll call Monica. She’d love to find a good home for one of the puppies.”
“Great! I’ll drive. You grab your coat!”
She nods but it’s automatic, like she doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing and fear trickles over me.
“Did I hurt you, Aspen?”
She laughs but it’s not as happy, as joyous as usual. “No, of course not. I’m good. Let’s get this over with.”
My chest hurts and I reach up my hand to rub at it. What went wrong?
I thought that we had something special. When I was touching her, tasting her, it felt like the most natural, perfect thing in the world. Like it was meant to be. Fated.
But you wouldn’t know it by looking at her.
She just looks uncomfortable and there’s a gleam in her eyes that doesn’t look like happiness to me.
“Okay. Let me get my car and you grab your purse and your coat.” She nods woodenly, her usual smile nowhere in sight.
We drive to her friend’s house and I study the puppies half-heartedly. All the happiness that I was feeling earlier is gone.
But I need to pick the perfect puppy for my daughter. She deserves this.
One of the puppies is braver than the others and hops up on the plastic playpen that’s set up in the living room. He howls and his big paws fall down as his head tips back.
He’s a goof and I know that my daughter will love the little thing.
I nod my head. “That guy there.”
Monica smiles. “That’s Jessie. He’s a comedian. Loves to goof around.”
“That sounds perfect.” I smile raggedly. “I’ll take him. Can I pick him up on Christmas Eve?”
“Sure. I’ll take care of him til then.”
“Great.” I reach into my pocket and pull out my checkbook. “Is a check alright?”
“Of course.” We walk away to discuss the puppy’s needs and what else I’ll need to get and just as I hit the doorway, I turn back to see Aspen leaning over the little walls, a single tear trickling down her cheek.
I don’t know what I did but if just being around me now hurts her like this, I’ll have to let her go.
I can’t bear to hurt her anymore than I already have.
Closing my eyes in pain, I open them and smile at the curious woman in front of me.
“Thank you so much for letting me interrupt your day.”
“Sure.” She smiles. “I’d do anything for Aspen. She’s a wonderful person.”
“Yeah. Yeah she is.”
Turning away, I write out the check and then hand it to her. “Thank you. I’ll come out here at seven on Christmas Eve if that’s alright.”
“It’s perfect. He’ll just have eaten and he’ll be nice and quiet.”
Smiling grimly, I nod my head. “Sounds perfect.”
“Thank you for giving him a good home. I hope your daughter loves him.”
“She will.” I shake her hand and then turn back to the living room.
I reach the doorway and there’s Aspen, staring off into space while she cuddles a wriggling puppy.
“Thank you for coming with me to do this.”
“Sure.” She shrugs her shoulder. “I think she’s going to love him.” She sets him down inside and then drags her feet to the door.
“I better get you home. I’m sure that you’re busy. I’m sorry I messed up your day.”
“You didn’t mess anything up. I am happy that I could help you get this set up for Charlie. She’s gonna love Jessie.”
And then she climbs up into my car and that’s the last thing she says to me the whole way home.