Chapter 5
Five
Work had seemed to drag, and my usual joy at doing something I was extremely competent in had waned with each passing hour. Finally, I was able to clock out. Now at the sight of the double doors showcasing the entrance to my condo, I was tempted to whimper in relief, but then a noise that sounded very real—and not coming from me—reached my ears. The pathetic nature of the whine told me it was an injured or fairly young animal. Seeing as the sun had already set, I wasn’t keen on searching the bushes for the culprit of said noise.
If this were a movie, I’d hightail it inside and pretend I’d never heard so much as a whisper. But the whimper sounded like the soft cries of a dog, and that made me think of Chris. What would he do in this situation?
I may have gone down the YouTube rabbit trail after the governor’s dinner, watching Chris’s many wildlife shorts. He was always respectful and cautious when nearing a wild animal. Should I do the same?
No, Erykah. We do not investigate noises. This could be a trap.
But I’d seen Lady and the Tramp one too many times as a kid and couldn’t ignore the pleas of the mystery howler. I squatted down, peering into the bushes just in time to see two eyes blinking at me.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
The irony of that being a leading question taught at CPR classes was not lost on me. However, I doubted there was a scripted question to ask potentially injured mammals.
The creature’s nose poked out, so I held my hand toward it like I’d seen done in countless movies. His nose twitched, and then a small paw came out of the bushes.
“It’s okay. I’m friendly.” Well, as friendly as I knew how to be.
Just because I didn’t talk to everyone I passed or sing “Kumbaya” with my coworkers didn’t mean that I was as bad as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada either.
A second paw appeared, then the animal’s whole face. Yep. Definitely a dog. “Are you hurt?”
The dog whined but moved forward. I held still until the little one rubbed his head under my hand. Gingerly, I scooped him up and immediately saw the issue. His back paw was red from blood or inflammation. I couldn’t tell which in the dark.
“We need to get you fixed up, huh?”
The dog nuzzled his snout into my neck. He licked my hand, and I laughed at the tickling sensation.
“Can we get a puppy , Erykah?”
“We can barely feed ourselves, Ellynn. How are we going to feed a dog?”
“But they’re so fluffy.”
I blinked away the memory and stared at the fluffball in my arms. His muzzle was white, but he had brown patches around his eyes. The rest of his coat held a mixture of brown, black, and white. Was he a runaway? Had he been abandoned? There was no collar. I had no idea if he’d been chipped.
If this little guy didn’t already have a family, maybe I could ship him to Ellynn. Surely she and her family would enjoy him. Then again, my niece hadn’t even turned one, so dealing with a baby, a five-year-old, and a puppy at the same time might not be a good mix.
I walked into the building and went to the bulletin board. There was no advertisement for a missing dog, so he was either newly missing or hadn’t come from here. I turned toward the elevators. I could doctor up the puppy’s foot. It couldn’t be that complicated, right?
Why don’t you just call Chris and get his help?
My cheeks heated.
Operation Stay Away proved to be harder than I’d imagined. I’d lasted a few minutes at the governor’s dinner before I ended up talking to Chris and flirting. Flirting! At least, it seemed like flirting. But he was very clear to call me a friend , so maybe not. Or maybe our interaction was just a getting-to-know-you period that I didn’t understand because dating and I didn’t go hand in hand.
Are you trying to date him?
No. ... Right?
I shook my head, then unlocked my front door. Warmth enveloped me. I’d set the timer on the thermostat to heat the room to seventy-five a little before my arrival. There was nothing like walking into a warm home. Who cared if it was empty?
You, you ninny.
I shrugged out of my coat, holding on to the cutie, who was content to curl up against me. After disposing of my coat and purse, I walked down the hall and into the one and only bedroom. The first aid kit stayed under my bathroom sink. There should be gauze and something to clean abrasions with inside.
After looking at the puppy’s paw, I could finally admit I knew nothing about veterinary care. I snapped a picture, then sent the photo along with a message to Chris. We’d texted here and there since our second meeting a few days ago. I couldn’t get over the feeling of having a friend to text and ask questions of. That was usually reserved for Ellynn.
Erykah
I found an injured pup. How can I tend to this?
Chris
Is he friendly? It’s really not a good idea to get close to an injured animal.
Erykah
So your YouTube video said. However, he’s been snuggled next to me since I found him in the bushes. I think I’m okay.
Chris
It looks free of debris so use some mild antibacterial soap on it. Then dry it carefully, and if it’s still bleeding, wrap it in gauze.
Erykah
That’s it?
Chris
Yep
Erykah
Then what do I do with him?
Chris
Take him to an animal shelter. They can see if he’s chipped to locate the owners. I’ve got numbers for a couple of good ones in the area.
The puppy made a low rumble as if he were sleeping. I stared at our reflection, him content, me looking a little panicked. I couldn’t take him to an animal shelter. What if he didn’t have people? Everyone knew what happened to those animals. Unfortunately, I also knew what it felt like to be cast aside. Someone had ditched him, and he was injured. How could I just turn around and abandon him all over again?
Chris
Do you want the numbers?
Erykah
I can’t just abandon him.
Chris
You can at least see if he’s chipped. If he isn’t, are you willing to take responsibility? Raising a puppy takes a lot of time. What will you do when you’re at work?
Erykah
I hate that you’re right. Still, if he doesn’t have a home, I want to give him one. When I go to work, can I leave him in a crate or something?
Chris
He’d be lonely.
The ellipsis danced across the screen.
Chris
If you want, you can drop him off at my nonprofit during the day. If I’m not there, one of my associates can watch him.
I bit my lip. Agreeing to this plan did not sound like it would fall under Operation Stay Away. But the thought of turning the pup over to the pound sounded worse.
Erykah
Okay. Thank you.
Chris
Sure. I like helping my friends out.
Why did being called a friend burn just a little? Still, his words were comforting and made me smile, even if I didn’t feel like doing so right that moment.
Erykah
Thanks. Send me the address, and I’ll see you Monday.
Chris
Will do.
Erykah
Oh, and what should I buy him until then?
Chris
Give me your address. I’ll pick you up. We’ll see if he’s chipped, and if not, go supply shopping.
My heart thumped. First my number, now my address? But the trepidation didn’t come, and soon my thumbs were sending a pin of my location.
Chris
I can be there in twenty.
Erykah
We’ll be ready.
I got some soap and gently washed the wound. The puppy licked my hand occasionally as I murmured nonsensical noises that hopefully sounded reassuring. He didn’t seem to be afraid of me. Thank goodness.
“I’m going to have to give you a name.” I tilted my head, studying him. He copied my movements.
“Mime?”
He whined.
“Okay. Obviously that was a paltry attempt at a name.” It would help if I knew what kind of dog he was. His coat was longish. Colorful. Um ... I was terrible at this.
“I can’t call you Dog.”
He whined.
“See? Even you know that’s an awful name.”
“Marlowe?” I waited for a response, but he didn’t do any thing. “Does that mean you like the name, or should I keep trying?”
He barked.
Okay. I’d keep thinking. Maybe Chris would have some suggestions when he arrived.
I gathered up the pup and headed down the hall. For once, my small condo didn’t feel so quiet or so isolating. The puppy was keeping me company and preventing me from sitting in the dark and staring at the skyline for hours on end.
I was actually going to meet up with a friend and go hang out. Granted, we were going pet supply shopping—hopefully. I couldn’t explain why I was so attached already. I didn’t want the dog to have a home and leave me too. I winced.
“Let’s take a selfie,” I said to the pup. “This is something my little sister will find newsworthy.”
Ellynn
Oh my word. I thought old ladies were supposed to buy cats.
Erykah
Har har. I’m forty-one. That’s not old.
Ellynn
Do you have gray hair?
Erykah
A strand or two doesn’t count.
Ellynn
Did your twenty-year high school reunion already pass?
Erykah
Girl, bye!
I locked my door and took the elevator to the lobby. As I arrived, an old Jeep-like vehicle pulled up to the curb. A man jumped out from the driver’s side and came around.
My mouth dropped.
What was Chris doing driving a jalopy? That thing was ancient. I pushed through the front door and left the warmth of the building.
“What on earth is that?” I pointed toward the blue sports utility vehicle.
“A Bronco.”
“A what now?”
Chris’s lips quirked into a half smile. “It’s vintage.” He held the door open, motioning me in.
I buckled up, then held on to the puppy. Once Chris sat down, I asked him my burning question. “How old is something before you can label it vintage?”
“It’s a 1975 Ford Bronco. It could get collector license plates if I promised not to drive it above collector limits.”
“I’m stunned. I thought you’d be driving some ecofriendly vehicle, not a gas guzzler.”
“It is ecofriendly.”
I looked around the vehicle, trying to see what I was missing. Spotting no obvious clues, I turned to Chris. “Explain.”
“Some people think, ‘Oh no, my car is harming the planet.’ Then they go buy a hybrid or electric vehicle that has all the eco bells and whistles. They don’t take into account the carbon footprint it cost to make a brand-new vehicle or what will happen to the so-called planet-harming car they just ditched.”
“So you’re saying driving an older car that probably couldn’t pass emissions testing is better?”
“If it still runs well. I’m not creating more waste by purchasing a new vehicle, and I get all the standard maintenance completed so that it doesn’t fail emissions testing. Though it is older, so technically it doesn’t have to take the test.”
“And the gas you’re buying?”
“This car runs on unleaded, so it’s no different than yours.”
“I’m kind of shocked.”
He chuckled. “I make up for it with my house.”
“Is that vintage too?”
“It’s a log cabin. I collect rainwater to use and live in a way that astonishes most people.”
“Including your friends?” I wondered about them. Chris had been so vague describing his friends. Maybe he was waiting to see if I would be a good friend before sharing more information. That, I could understand.
“Not in a horrifying way, but it does provide fodder for them to tease me with. In fact, they were just texting me about it. You can read for yourself. Nothing incriminating.”
He handed me his cell phone.
Giddiness flowed through me at the trust he was extending. “Oh, you have to unlock it.”
“Right.” He stopped at the light and typed in his password. He scrolled through and grinned. “Start at ‘It’s going to rain tomorrow’ and read on down.”
“You sure?” I asked, though eagerness already filled me.
“Yep. Go ahead.”
Chris
It’s going to rain tomorrow.
Tuck
Whoo boy. I bet you’re happy your little aquifer is gonna fill up.
Lamont
I still can’t believe you live like a person off-grid. You may as well ditch the smartphone and delete your YouTube account.
Chris
Ha. I’ll have you know those items are beneficial. Lead by example. How else will others learn how to help the planet?
Lamont
’90s cartoons on streaming. I’m sure Captain Planet can be found.
I snickered softly to myself.
Chris
What do you know about that cartoon?
Tuck
“By your powers combined...”
Lamont had sent an “I am Captain Planet” GIF.
Tuck
Chris
So y’all got jokes.
Lamont
All day, every day.