24. Chapter Twenty-Four #2
I can’t take my eyes off Nash. Because he’s new and doesn’t know his way around the building as well as everyone else, he was designated as an applicationer, while I’m a meeter.
Meeters know a lot about the specific animals so that way we can find the right fit.
I’m the only volunteer in this position, all the others are workers, because I’ve been here the longest and the most consistently.
Most of the volunteers are handling applications because it’s the easiest part.
Now and then, Nash will turn to the person he’s sharing a table with to ask them a question. I don’t know what about it is intriguing me. See him interacting with people in a non-detective sort of way? But what’s interesting about that?
Mostly when I see him, he’s speaking with someone who is filling out an application, walking them through it like he’s done it a hundred times. He’s smiling so much. This friendly, welcoming, warm smile that could be on a fucking billboard. It makes my stomach hurt.
A few people are interested in Teddy because they saw her photo on the Adoption Option Board—until I explain her needs.
Their faces fall and they decide she’s too much work, even if they don’t say it out loud.
I get it. Been there, done that. But the right person will come along for her.
They will. They have to. She deserves a good life, to be happy and spoiled and not scared all the time.
She deserves it, just like everyone else.
The event lasts four hours, and by the end of it, I’m exhausted. Everyone else must be too. I’m trying to organize all the dog collars and leashes by size, since they got mixed up during the adoptions. All dogs get a collar, leash, and bandanna when they’re adopted.
“Hey, Carter?” Hazel calls out.
“Yeah, I’m here!”
“We got one more applicant up here.”
Can’t deny that, and I’m almost done anyway. I’ll finish up after. There are a few animals left, and if there is a chance they can be adopted, well, we have to do it.
I head out to the front and see a mother standing with who I assume is her son, who is in a lime green and black wheelchair.
“This is Carter. He’ll take you to see Teddy,” Hazel says with a smile, gesturing toward me.
“Teddy?” I ask, looking from Hazel to the family.
Hazel nods, giving me a reassuring smile. “Yes, they’re very interested.”
“Hazel explained Teddy’s needs, and well…” She looks down at her son with a loving look. “I honestly think she’d be perfect for our family.”
I look at the little boy who can’t be more than ten, smiling so big that I can’t help but smile back. He makes a happy sound that warms my heart. He’s super sweet with messy dark hair and bright blue eyes.
“Okay, I’ll take you back.” I smile even though my nerves are eating at me. I’m scared for her.
The mother navigates her son through the halls as we make our way back to the kennels.
I hold all the doors open for her, and she thanks me with a kind smile.
They seem like good people. Calm vibes. Soft smiles.
Friendly. Understanding. These are the kind of people Teddy could like, and I’m not here to judge, but can this woman handle a dog with so many needs and her son?
It’s not my business or my choice to make for her, but the scared part of me is not always nice.
This woman knows herself better than I do—obviously because I don’t know her from a hole in the wall—but there is still a part of me that wants Teddy for myself.
The room is empty; all the dogs having been adopted. Except Teddy. We make our way down the walkway, the empty cages messy and in need of cleaning. We stop right before Teddy’s cage, and I turn to them.
“Teddy is very special to me. I spend a lot of time with her, so I know her very well. She’s skittish, but not aggressive. Never aggressive. She needs a lot of patience and slow movements. She’s had accidents from being scared, but she is house trained.”
“Hazel explained that to us, and we’re still here,” she says kindly. “I think her and Ryan will bond so well together.”
My body runs ice cold.
“Did you say Ryan?” The words come out as a raspy sound, as my vision tunnels and my skin prickles.
“Yes,” she says, running her hand over her son’s head. “Ryan loves dogs so much. He’s been wanting one since he knew what they were.” He makes a sound that sounds like a laugh and lifts his arms up a little, like he wants to be excited but his body won’t entirely let him.
“His name is Ryan?” I ask, looking from her to him. I know I’m being weird, and I don’t want to scare them, but… is this real?
“Yeah, I know it’s one of those common names, but—”
“It’s not boring,” I cut in, my nerves settling. “It’s an amazing name. The best name. Right up there with Teddy.” I smile at the woman, fighting tears in my eyes because I can’t let them see me cry. Not over this. How would I explain it? I don’t need to depress them. “Let’s meet her.”
Forty-five minutes later, I’m helping Teddy to the van with Heather and Ryan, trying to fight back tears that haven’t stopped trying to come out since I found out the kid’s name.
It has to be a sign, right? It has to be. I’m choosing to believe it is.
Heather works on getting Ryan into the van. A ramp unfolds from the back for her to wheel him in and hook him up to straps and a special seatbelt. It’s actually really cool that she has something like this.
Teddy is beside me, huddling by my legs with her tail between hers. I kneel down and she backs away, but I hold out my hand and allow her to come to me. She sniffs it, then looks up at me with sad eyes.
“You’re getting adopted, sweet girl,” I tell her.
“I think this is going to be awesome for you.” I slowly move my hand to her head to pet her.
“They seem like really nice people, and Ryan is so happy to have you. You have to be good to him. You’re going to have an amazing family.
They’re going to take good care of you.”
“We certainly are,” Heather says. I look up and see her standing there, smiling down at me. I smile back and offer her the leash as I straighten up. “I can tell she means a lot to you. Can I ask why you haven’t adopted her?”
“I work too much. No one at home to stay with her.”
Heather nods, some of her dark hair blowing in the breeze. Her cheeks are pink from the cold. “I’m grateful to have an amazing husband who works a lot so I can stay home with Ryan and care for him full time.”
“And now Teddy.”
She looks down at her. “And now Teddy.”
“If you keep the name, that is. You don’t have to, of course.”
She gives me an are you serious? look and says, “We’re going to keep the name.”
“Take the best care of her,” I say, my voice shaking.
Heather gives me a sad smile. I turn to walk away.
“Hold on. Carter?” I stop to face her, hoping she can’t see the tear that’s trailed down my cheek.
“Um, well, I know this probably isn’t normal, but if you wanted to come by and check on her… I’d be okay with it.”
Hope blooms in my chest. “Really?”
“Of course. It may even help her get settled, you know?”
Another tear falls from the corner of my eye. I’m unable to hold it back, so I swipe it away.
“Thank you so much. That means…” I let out a shuddering breath. “More than I can explain.”
“I’ll call tomorrow to get your information, is that okay?”
“Absolutely. Enjoy her.”
I walk away. If I don’t, I might get hysterical. Teddy will be fine. If this woman can take care of her disabled son, she can handle Teddy.
I stop by the front doors, unable to go in. I turn back toward the parking lot and watch as Heather is so gentle with Teddy as she helps her into the van.
“You okay?”
I recognize the voice immediately.
It’s Nash. I didn’t even hear him come out.
“The little boy’s name is Ryan,” I say as Heather gets into the van, my gaze still on them.
There’s a pause, then he says, “Yeah, I know.”
“Seems like a sign, you know? Like… maybe he’s trying to tell me that they’re the right people for her.”
“They seem like good people.”
“They seem like amazing people,” I amend, another tear falling from my eye. “I just… want her to be okay.” I sniffle, and then Nash’s arms are around me.
“She’ll be okay. She’s strong. She’s smart. She has someone to help her through whatever she needs.”
I nod against his chest, and this time, I throw my arms around him to hug him back.