Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Present
“Oomph.”
The breath is knocked out of me as I run into someone in the animal shelter. I manage to catch us both in time before we fall to the floor.
“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Are you okay?”
Embarrassing word vomit has always been one of my key traits. I can’t believe I just ran into this lady. She’s so little that it looks like a slight wind would blow her away. I see her give me a slight perusal as she continues to have a hold of my arm.
“It’s okay, no harm done,” she says in such a kind way that I just can’t help but relax in her presence. While we stand here staring at each other, I take in the purple pantsuit she's wearing, her light cotton candy hair, and immediately fall in love with her.
Coughing lightly, I move a step away.
“I’m Lilly, and I would love to help you. Were you looking for anything in particular?”
“Well,” she says thoughtfully, “I was wondering if you had any younger dogs that I could look at. My grandson has started working from home, and I feel like he needs to have a companion that makes him go outside and occasionally touch grass instead of always staring at a computer screen.”
I start laughing so hard I snort, and just as fast, I quit laughing as I can feel my face slowly turning red from embarrassment.
“I’ll have to ask Ashley. I just started volunteering today, and I am not sure which of the dogs are currently available for adoption.”
After leaving home, I had to leave Graham with Dana until I could find a place to live. In the meantime, I decided to volunteer at the local animal rescue to get my dog and cat fixed.
Today is only my second day, and so far, all I have managed to accomplish is knocking over this nice lady. I walk up to the front desk, and after a brief conversation about available dogs, Ashley leaves to get one she thinks is perfect and ready to go home.
“I’m getting fired, and I don’t even get paid,” I lamented inside my head.
“Are you single?” She asks in a rushed tone.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry, but you've been so kind, I was wondering if you would like to go out on a date with my grandson!”
I just stare at her incredulously. I didn’t know that animal rescues were a hot spot for the dating pool. I realize that I’m still staring at her and blinking. I’m sure my face looks confused. I didn’t think I would have “get picked up by a grandmother” on my bingo card for this week.
“I am, but I just moved here, and I don’t really have my life together to try and go out on a date right now,” I tell her.
“Oh, pshh. Say yes!”
I look around to see if Ashley is ready, but it is just my new best friend and me. After heaving a sigh, I give in. I could use some new friends.
“Okay, I’m in,” I reply.
“Perfect!”
Suddenly, there is an iPhone thrust in front of me, “Can I get your number? I’ll message you with all the details.”
“Are you sure this isn’t a date for you? Are you sure it’s for your grandson?” I ask with an eyebrow raised, then add my number to her phone as directed.
She just laughs and squeezes my arm one more time.
“You're such a breath of fresh air,” she says while laughing. Ashley walks up to her and says she’s ready to take her to the back to meet one of the dogs.
As suddenly as she came into my life, she’s gone, and I am left alone, wondering what the hell just happened.
That's a lie. I know what happened. I was just steamrolled by a four-foot-ten grandma with pink hair.
After two more hours of volunteering, I finally leave, and as I walk back to my apartment, I feel my phone vibrate in my hand.
Unknown: Hi! Are you free tomorrow at 5:30
Lilly: Who is this?
Unknown: Oh, I’m so sorry! I never introduced myself. It’s Margarat from earlier! You were going to go on a date with my grandson.
Lilly: Yes, I’m free!
Unknown: Perfect! He’ll meet you at Cafe Blu at 5:30, and he’ll be wearing a black hat. His name is Will.
I stare at my phone.
Well….
That escalated quickly.
I save Margarat’s number in my phone and continue heading home.