Chapter 40
Sabastian
I was going to get this puppy, I thought, as Oakley let the smallest of smiles lift his lips.
When she lightly jumped up, placing her paws on his chest to lick his face, a light giggle came from him. That alone was reason enough to get this dog.
Oakley needed someone to keep him company, and I should have thought of this option way before now.
“I think she likes you.”
Oakley’s eyes flashed to mine, a look I hadn’t seen there before clear as day. He wanted her and was already in love with it. And anything that made Oakley look happy, I was going to get him.
“I…she’s cute.” And slightly dirty.
I reached down to pet her head, and while she didn’t cower away, she wasn’t too sure about it, about me.
She’d be perfect for my boy.
I’d ask if he wanted her, but I wouldn’t. I knew he’d deny it, deny his happiness. Instead, as the lady came back in, I asked if I could speak to her outside. Although she gave me a funny confused look, she did so.
“I want that puppy, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“That’s kind of hard to do, sir. You have to sign papers and-“
“I know. But you see, my friend in there isn’t a fan of me buying them gifts, or anything, for that matter. If he knows what I’m doing, I’m afraid his trauma will take over, and not enjoy this experience as much as I’d like him to.”
“I’ll…see what I can do.”
“Here,” I pulled out my card, handing it over. “I’ll need dishes, a bag of food, and a few toys to tide us over for a few days.”
“Sure. You’ll have to sign the papers at the front, though.”
“Not a problem.”
She dipped her head,
Going back into the room, I found Oakley right where I left him. The puppy was curled up on his lap, chewing on a toy.
They were a perfect match.
“I think after this, we’ll head home.”
“Okay.” He didn’t bring his gaze from the puppy, but his word was sad like he thought I wasn’t going to let him have the animal.
If I wasn’t going to let him have the puppy, then I wouldn’t have brought him here.
“What do you think would be a good name for this animal?”
“I’m not naming something I can’t have.” For once, I was surprised by the heat behind his words. So far, Oakley hadn’t once had an attitude about anything. not even once.
“Her papers say they named her Hunter.”
Oakley made some sort of noise, which I took for disagreement. I didn’t think that name fit this dog at all.
A knock on the door caused me to look up. “Sir? I have…that thing for you.”
“I’ll be right back. Then we can go home.”
My boy didn’t say anything, keeping his eyes on the dog in his lap.
“Paperwork. Info on the chip, which would be under your phone number and name, will be put into the data once you fill this out. The next form is your agreement to spay her when she’s six months old.
Her appointment to do that is when she’s seven months old.
You can take this card to remember. Then, the last page is just your signature saying you will take care of the puppy’s needs and all that. ”
Easy.
I quickly signed what needed, handing it all back.
“Great. The items are at the front counter for you to grab on your way out.”
“Thanks.”
Going back into the room, Oakley looked up, sadder than I ever thought he’d been before.
Bending down to be at eye level with him, I spoke. Keeping my voice low and soft. “Are you ready to head home now?”
“No.” but he sighed. With one of the saddest looks he could muster, he gave out a long sigh.
“What if I told you that, that puppy is now ours?”
He opened and closed his mouth, then shook it.
“You aren’t like Sir. And…you don’t play games.”
“I don’t like games that make fun of others or make others upset,” I said slowly, patiently. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve told you that I’d like to see you happy.”
“I don’t think…you mean it.”
“Oh, Oakley, honey. I mean it. I want you happy. And that dog is now yours. You’ll be responsible for feeding her, taking her out, potty training, and playing with her. And all that other stuff that dogs need to learn.”
“Really?” A little bit of that hope came back to his eyes.
“Yes. You’ve been such a good boy, and it’s your birthday. Plus, I don’t think anyone else can take care of her as well as you will.”
“You…you won’t take her away when I’m bad?”
“Never. That’s not punishment. That’s plain cruelty. To both you and the dog.”
“She’s….yours?”
“No. Ours. But you get to take care of her the most since you’re at home with all day while I’m out.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in, and when they did, Oakley slowly moved the puppy off his lap to the floor. While she wasn’t pleased, she did wander off a bit to pee on the floor. But Oakley didn’t see that as he all but threw himself at me.
Not prepared, I fell back on my butt, holding his upper body to my own.
“Thank you.” The two words were whispered right against my cheek before his lips pressed against my skin softly. After another moment, he pulled back, eyes red but happy. I’d do anything to keep that look there.
“I’m…ready now.”