“So…” I murmur as I head for the main road back to San Fernando Valley.
He peers at me with a sly smile. “So…” he replies awkwardly.
We sit in silence for another minute, give or take, then Chase’s the first to speak, “I called Rip while you were in your shop. Told him we have Doughnut, and we’re bringing him home.”
“Oh, you did? That’s good. At least he knows Doughnut’s safe. Is he angry I took a couple of days to find them?”
“No. He’s just happy Doughnut’s coming home.”
I feel sad to be saying goodbye to this goat so soon. I wanted to hang out with her—no, him—a little more. But I know he needs to be with his family.
Maybe I can find a fainting goat of my own?
Though if Doughnut’s interactions with Polly are anything to go by, that’s not such a great idea. The goat would be out of it on the carpet more than it would be standing. Polly can’t keep his mouth shut most of the time. And I am not sure the cleanup duty would be all that great either.
“You’re deep in thought.” Chase’s voice is soft and caring as he startles me from my own mind.
I steal a glance at him and catch the concern etched across his face. The strange thing is, I’ve only known this guy for half an hour, yet it already feels like he’s been part of my whole damn life.
I figure, damn it!
“I know this sounds horrible, but a part of me didn’t want to find Doughnut’s owners. I think that’s why I kept putting it off. I really like him… he’s so cute. He made me feel like someone, you know, needed me.” I let out an exhale. “God, when I say that aloud, I realize how much of a whack job I sound.”
He exhales. “Doughnut has that effect on people. He makes you forget all your problems, and he makes you feel better about yourself. That’s why he’s such a damn good friend.”
“Speaking from experience?”
He tips his head down. “You could say that.”
“Oh, now this I do want to hear.”
“Another time, maybe. For now, I think you need some gas.”
My eyes dart down to see the red light flashing. “Yeah, okay, pitstop. Maybe we can get some road trip snacks, too.”
Chase bobs his head. “Good idea. There’s a Chevron up here on the right.” He points to the blue and red sign, and I signal for the turn. I pull up to the pump, then jump out. Doughnut greets me at the side of the truck, so I reach out, petting his head.
Chase surprises me by jumping out and coming to stand with me as I push the nozzle into the truck.
“Let me pay for the ga—”
“I’m not a charity case, Chase. I can pay for gas.”
“I know you can, Lyri, but I want to. This is as much my trip as it is yours. I’m going to see an old friend, and I’m a part of this, so please, I insist.”
I roll my eyes as he pulls out his card, moving to the pump, ready to pay. Doughnut lets out a littlebaa,making the people in the car on the opposite pump glance over. It’s not every day you see a goat in the back of a pickup in the outskirts of LA.
Chase pays for the gas when the pump ends its cycle. “I’ll walk over and grab some snacks while you drive up. When I come out, you can head in to grab yours, so someone is with Doughnut the whole time.”
He’s protective of Doughnut.
I like this side of him.
He’s careful about what happens to people and goats he cares about.
It’s a positive attribute.
Chase heads off to the convenience store as I hop back into the truck, then drive it forward into a parking space. I jump out and walk around to the back to hang out with Doughnut a little more. Doughnut rushes to the rear of the truck to greet me, tongue hanging out, eyes wide, seemingly happier than ever.
