Page 7 of Mommy

There’s a water stain on the ceiling directly above my bed, and I stare at the heart shape for a few moments before I force a deep breath into my lungs.

My phone vibrates next to me on the mattress, and I don’t need to check the screen to know that it’s my alarm.

7:00 am.

The shelter opens in three hours, work begins in one.

I always set an alarm, even though I rarely need it. It’s not because Shelly would be mad if I’m late—I think she’s actually a little annoyed by the way I’m always a few minutes early for work—but I’m too excited to get to the shelter to risk being late. My time there is already limited by the hours I’m allowed to work, I’m not willingly giving up even one minute.

The volume on my phone is turned down to the lowest setting as I get ready while listening to Isak Danielson.

My mom is probably still asleep when I slip out of our house in nothing but leggings and an oversized hoodie to keep me safe from the morning cold.

Mist lays on the street beyond our front yard, it hides the trash on the sidewalks, and early morning frost gives the rough asphalt a pretty shimmer.

When I arrive at the shelter door half an hour later, my fingers are ice cold even though I stuffed them into my hoodie and my nose is itching and red.

“Early bird, huh?”

I turn around at the familiar voice and raise an eyebrow at Liam.

He’s usually not at the shelter until noon because he has a different job he works before helping out here.

His dark hair is perfectly tussled and the rose gold ring in his bottom lip accentuates his photo worthy, bright smile.

“Always,” I murmur. “Why are you here?”

Liam searches his pocket and comes up with a set of keys.

“I’m jumping in for Shelly. She had an early appointment of sorts and asked me to come here and let you in.” He stuffs the largest key into the door, undoes the lock and it swings open. “She also said, you knew the morning routine better than anyone, and that I could count on you to lead me through it.”

A blush creeps onto my cheeks at his words, and I lower my head, staring at the tips of my no longer white sneakers.

Liam stays in the front, setting up the desk and making coffee while I go through my morning with the dogs.

Walter.

Bella.

Lilo & Stitch.

Chino.

Vera, Simon & Brother.

Viv and her pups.

One empty kennel.

I give my girl a big kiss with her breakfast before returning to the entrance. Liam is nowhere in sight, so I don’t waste time, and move on to the yard. I check every nook and cranny before I open the kennel doors one after the other. Except for Vera, Simon, Brother and the puppies all the dogs enjoy yard time together. All five of them are still eating but I know that soon after that they’ll be running around outside, enjoying the little bit of sunshine that comes through the clouds.

Liam shows up with two cups and offers me one.

“Black tea, vanilla with a bit of cream,” he says with a grin. “Just how you like it.”

“Thank you.”

My fingers wrap around the warm cup and we both take a seat on one of the deep window sills. Liam stretches his long legs out before him and I pull mine up to place my tea on my knees.