AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Finished,” Antonette says with a satisfied finality in her voice. “What do you think?”
I look down at the words on my arm, Maxwell’s familiar handwriting forever inked into my skin.
Head held high. Fearless.
And framing the words are bundles of violets; one of February’s birth flowers. My nose prickles and tears sting the back of my eyes, not from the pain of the tattoo – it hurt, but not enough to make me want to cry – but from the pain of knowing that I’m not going home to Max.
“It looks fantastic. Thank you, Antonette.”
“Any time,” she grins. “I have a feeling you’ll be back.”
After getting care instructions for my new tattoo and a promise from Elise that she’ll make sure that I follow all the instructions, Elise and I find our way to the nearby diner for milkshakes and a massive order of french fries shared between us.
“Harrisons process life events with tattoos, Davises process life events with comfort food.”
“I like it,” Elise chuckles as she pops a french fry into her mouth. “French fries are always a good idea.”
On Saturday morning, I wake up early enough for a quick breakfast with Elise before I head over to the Bainbridge Animal Shelter for the adoption event that Maxwell was volunteering for. The event starts after I have to report to the stadium, so I’m coming in early to fill Max’s shoes.
“Can I help you?” Maria asks before her eyes light with recognition.
“Hey Maria. Let Dr. Henderson know it’s an old friend from home.”
She picks up her phone and dials an extension. After a moment’s pause she comes around the desk and opens a door for me, waving me through. “He’s in the puppy playroom.”
“Thanks.”
I’ve visited the Bainbridge Animal Shelter with Max enough times to know my way around, and my feet carry me down the hall to the best room in the building. The puppy playroom is where the shelter dogs are allowed to play with volunteers and potential forever families. I gently push open the door and find Sam seated in the center of the room,surrounded by toys scattered across the floor. Kaline is stretched out nearby, warily eyeing the small white dog running around and picking up toys to share with him.
“Hey Sam,” I sit down beside him and the little dog immediately changes course, climbing into my lap and sniffing to make sure I’m a friend. “Put me to work.”
“I will if Benji will let you go.” Sam tips his head toward the dog with a smile tugging at his lips. “He seems to like you.”
“He’s sweet.”
“He is,” Sam nods, watching as the dog curls up and settles into my lap, letting me pet him. “I’m fostering him. I’m going to have a hard time letting him go to his forever home.”
“Bummer. I’d take this guy home with me in a heartbeat. But I’ve already done one impulsive thing after Maxwell’s trade and don’t think I can afford another one.”
“That sounds ominous,” Sam laughs, “what did you do?”
“Got a tattoo.”
“Max would definitely approve. Let’s see it.”
I push up the sleeve of my long sleeve Olympians tee and hold out my arm for Sam’s inspection.
“His handwriting sucks. But I love it.” Sam stands up and reaches a hand down to help me up now that Benji has lost interest in me and is back to giving toys to Kaline. “Max likes to work behind the scenes, so I usually have him in the stockroom or doing morning feeds. Sometimes I have him walk the dogs. If you’re better at social media than I am, I need some help taking pictures of the animals and posting them.”
“I can handle social media.”
After an hour and a half, all the dogs and cats are photographed, and Maria and I posted the pictures and bios of the pets to the shelter’s website and social media pages. People are starting to come in to meet the animals, and I slip out, as things start to get busier and I’m due at the stadium.
Head high,I text Maxwell once I’m off the ferry and headed toward the office. He’s making his first start for the Mustangs tonight. His game will be starting while we’re at the stadium for workouts prior to our game tonight. I’m hoping to catch a few innings – alone, in my office – before taking the field.
Fearless,my phone dings with a response from Max.How’d the adoption event go? Sam told me you stopped by?
Of course he did.
