“Can you help with training? I need to get them potty trained, then trained trained. If that makes sense.”
“Absolutely. We’ll provide you with several resources to look into. We have a potty-training pamphlet. It’s not difficult to train. Consistency’s the key,” she said, nodding in encouragement. I nodded too. Why? I didn’t know.
By the time we talked it all out and I paid the fees, and signed the paperwork, the puppies were brought to me. They were so stinking cute in their shared carrying case. Except, for the first time since entering this kennel, I became intimidated.
What did I know about taking care of anything? I didn’t even have a job yet, but I did have a fat bank account from ten years of working while barely spending a dime. I was still anxious as hell as I took the handle of the case and lifted it to stare at the two beings inside. Man, I was an emotional mess. Forget the intimidation. A burst of joy ran over me, and it was a beautiful feeling I hadn’t experienced in years.
“We’ll help you carry everything out,” she said, not waiting for my reply. She scooped up a small box she prepared, filling it with food and other essentials they said I’d need.
“Nah, I hadn’t gotten that far. I wasn’t completely sure I was adopting today,” I said, putting the puppies’ crate in the back seat, placing the box in beside them.
“All right, enjoy your pups. I packed instructions for neutering and spaying so you can educate yourself. They’ll need special care post-op,” she said as I got into the cab and started the engine. My phone connected to the truck and then simultaneously rang. I barely glanced at the caller’s name, feeling like it was one of Dash’s many calls a day, but this time, my mom’s name appeared on the screen.
“I have to take this,” I said, reaching for the armrest to shut the truck’s door. “We’ll see you next week.”
“Thank you,” she said, stepping away from the truck, lifting a hand to wave. I answered the call while shutting the door.
“What’s going on?” I asked. She rarely made contact outside of our regularly scheduled Sunday evening calls, choosing to text me throughout the week.
“Where are you? What happened, son?” Her voice mirrored the sadness I’ve been dealing with for weeks.
“So you know?” I asked and left the truck running in the parking lot of the kennel.
“Carter’s speaking to Dash right now,” she said. “I heard that you two are on a break. What’s going on, Beau? Where are you?”
“The what happened answer is that he and I grew apart. I’ve been battling with it for a while. The evening I got home from being with you guys, Dash wasn’t there, which was normal, but when he arrived, he was so drunk. Another guy jumped out of the car and took him back inside. I watched it all. Arms around each other, holding each other close. I took off that night, and that’s the whole story. He showed up here. If he wasn’t sodamned cocky, I probably would’ve gone back with him, but I didn’t. We’re done.”
“Oh, Beau, I’m sorry. I knew things were off, but I didn’t understand how far it had gone,” she said. “Come here. We have plenty of room for you. It’ll give you time to build a plan.”
“I’m in Sea Springs. I rented a place close to the beach. It’s small but enough for me. I never felt comfortable living in those big homes. There’s a lot of space in them to feel lonely.” My new puppies gave a baby bark, drawing my attention to the rearview mirror. Both dogs were side by side, staring out the front of the cage. I lifted a finger to my lips, glancing back at them. “Shh.”
“What was that?” she asked.
“I adopted two puppies today. They’re in the back seat.” My mom fell silent for so long that I had to check if she was still on the call.
“You there?” I asked.
“Beau, sweetheart, you went to Sea Springs and adopted two dogs? Are you okay? Should you be making so many life-changing decisions right now?”
Her worry caused me to chuckle. “I’m on the opposite side of the city from where everything went down. I always liked coming here to see nana and paw. Sea Spring’s feels like my home. As for the dogs… I planned to adopt one, but his cellmate was funny and cute. They felt like a package deal. I don’t know how to care for a pet, but I’m gonna try.”
“What can I do to help you?” she asked.
“Nothing. I’m taking things day by day. I miss Dash, but I miss the old Dash, not the person he’s become.”
“I can’t believe he was with another guy. He never struck me as that type of person,” she said.
“I’m okay, Mom. Better now that I’m out of Chicago. I gotta get us back to the motel and read all the stuff the kennel sent home with me. Tomorrow I’m taking possession of thetownhouse I rented. I gotta get furniture and stuff.” As I spoke, Dash’s name popped up on the screen. The man never gave me a break. Of course I let it go to voicemail.
“I’m sorry for what’s happened. I want the best for you,” she said.
“Tell Carter I have no issue with him working with Dash. I know they’re close. I don’t know if he’d even consider not working with him, but I don’t want to know about it,” I said.
“I’ll tell him. Beau, I love you. I’m so proud of the person you’ve become. Don’t discount Dash just yet. See if he makes the changes that put you two together again. Remember when times were good…” Her sad voice bothered me, but I wasn’t in a place to relieve her just yet.
“I’m okay, Mom. Trying to keep busy to distract myself. I’ll call you once I settle into my new place,” I said. “But I’m hanging up now. I gotta get on the road.”
“Bye, sweetheart. I’ll call you Sunday night.”
