Chapter 26 Sydney - Making a New Friend
Chapter 26
Sydney - Making a New Friend
W hen I came downstairs in the morning, I found Austin drinking his second or third cup of coffee. I usually had to put up with a level of half-awake grumpiness until his coffee kicked him into gear. Today I got to skip that part, and I didn’t miss it.
“I’ve got poker winnings burning a hole in my pocket,” he said. “Do you want to go shopping with me? I need more jeans.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Don’t you have at least a dozen pairs? I’m going to pass on the shopping fun today. The perfect beach weather beckons me. I need to restore my creative juices. This week at work was murder on my psyche.”
“Did you have lunch with Venus yesterday? Has she gotten an update on the movie yet? I’m dying to know who they chose to sing our song.”
“Nope. I know it seems like that was years ago. I’m not sure what the holdup is. She said she was working on it.”
He stared into his coffee mug. “Bummer. My mom asked me about it when I talked to her last night.”
“It’s out of our hands now that the studio bought the song rights. I’m hitting the beach with a book. Enjoy your shopping!”
The beach closest to the townhouse had a designated swimming area with a lifeguard and fishing off the pier. I could listen to the ocean all day long. For the first time in days, I relaxed, breathing in the salty air. My book club book sat on my lap, waiting for me to open it.
Twenty pages later, my eyes were drooping from the warmth of the sun and whiffs of sunscreen in the salty air. I watched the people that crossed my path. In the distance, I saw the most adorable creatures bounding in my direction. My heart beat faster as the puppies came closer. All that energy in such little balls of fur. They resembled a parade, and it tickled my heart.
A stocky woman wearing a purple neon tank top, matching shorts, and brightly colored sneakers held five different brightly colored leashes. An enormous hot pink headband swept her bleach blonde curls off her face. Even her sunglasses matched her ensemble. Her entourage came within a few feet of me, and I greeted her.
“You have an exuberant bunch with you.”
She paused in front of me. “It’s like trying to herd chickens. They all have minds of their own, and no one wants to compromise.” Five playful bull mastiff puppies pulled at their leashes, straining towards the water. She retracted their leashes to stop them. “I’m Daisy. I would shake your hand, but as you can see, I’ve already got at least two handfuls.”
“Yes, I can see that. They sure are adorable little balls of happiness. My name is Sydney. Nice to meet you. Do you come to this beach often?”
“Probably once or twice a week. The kids like variety. I try to mix it up.”
I assumed she was a breeder, and I had a crazy thought. “Do you have homes for them yet?” I couldn’t take the words back and I didn’t want to.
“Most of them have homes already. I have one left. Number Three. He’s a sweetheart. Laid back and mellow. His littermates have him riled up right now.” She held out a chartreuse leash in my direction. “Take him for a walk, but please keep him out of the water.”
Taking the leash from her, I inspected the puppy at the other end. His paw prints in the wet sand seemed massive for a small creature. His ears bounced as he explored the sand and frolicked with his brothers and sisters. I stretched out my hand towards him. He sniffed his way over in my direction and when he reached my hand, he poked his moist nose at it, taking in my scent. He had short, bristled tan fur, and his tail whirred back and forth in greeting.
Daisy interjected. “I’m walking the rest of the herd down to the pier. I’ll pick up Number Three on the way back.”
I had to ask. “Why did you give him that name?”
“I don’t give them names. I save that for their forever families. I give them each a number to identify them.”
“Gotcha. That’s interesting. And effective. I’ll be here when you return.”
Daisy continued her walk with the remaining four puppies. I turned my attention back to the puppy. What a cute little bugger. I picked him up and held him in my lap. He settled down and let me pet him without protest. My heart melted, even as I tried to talk myself out of it. I took a few snapshots on my phone. I wondered what Austin would think . . . but I also didn’t care. This puppy needed to be mine.
By the time Daisy returned, I’d decided. “I would like to take Number Three, if he isn’t spoken for already.”
“Do you know how many puppies I can sell just by walking on the beach? This happens whenever I bring out the herd. Let me give you my card and you can call me.” She wrangled one from her pocket and handed it to me.
“Thanks, I will do that.” I reluctantly handed over the leash. “You’re right. He is a sweetheart.” She continued down the beach, five leashes in tow.
As they galloped away, my eyes trailed on Number Three. I tucked her card into my beach bag, eager to get home and call Daisy. I couldn’t wait to bring home my new furry friend and give him the perfect name.
Journal Entry
Having a dog is a lot of responsibility. He would need obedience training, veterinary care, daily walks, love and attention. My lease requires a $500 nonrefundable pet deposit and an extra $50 per month as a pet fee. The deposit is a little steep, but I can manage the rent increase without having to eat ramen noodles .
I can’t get that adorable little furry face out of my head. When I came back from the beach, I asked Austin whether he objected to me having a dog. “As long as I don’t have to pick up his poop, I don’t care what you do.” Fair enough. I called Daisy and arranged a pickup date.
I went a little crazy at the pet store, buying what I thought I need for my new companion. I made all these rules: he can’t sit on the furniture, he can’t have table scraps, he can’t sleep in bed with me. None of those rules lasted longer than the first week.
This amazing creature stole my heart the moment we met. I wanted him to have a strong name to fit the large, imposing figure he would be when he was full grown. I settled on Samson.