AllFreeNovel
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It’s Sunday afternoon. She could be anywhere, including the subway, playing music. I should go and look for her and make sure she’s not going to some dangerous neighborhood to donate the money people place in her violin case. Though I understand she loves to help others, I hate that she doesn’t think about her personal safety when she does it.
Last winter, she took her coat off to give it to a homeless person. I had to carry extra coats the entire winter to ensure she wasn’t freezing. The foundation she helped me establish is organizing a coat drive for next winter, and we make sure that we donate food to shelters every week. Anyone else would think it’s enough, and Piper would stop helping others on a daily basis.
She won’t. She finds other ways. I should hire a bodyguard to keep an eye on her at all times. Since I won’t take drastic measures, I decide to focus on the puppy and everything she needs before I give her to Piper.
The pet store’s website allows me to buy everything online. They can deliver everything tomorrow morning, or I can pick up the items before five.
I turn to look at the tri-color puppy that’s inside the box and ask, “Would you like to take another trip?”
“Yip.”
“I take that as an, ‘I’m too tired to do it.’” I pick her up and tuck her under my arm. “In the meantime, we can go upstairs so you can start your potty training. Aren’t you happy to know that Piper has grass, so you don’t have to worry about the outside world while you’re this tiny?”
“Yip.”
We make our way upstairs, and while the little tri-color puppy is jumping up and down the green area, I get a call from Piper.
“Are you finally back, big guy?”
I grin. “Did you miss me?”
“Probably. I didn’t have anyone to torture this weekend,” she sasses me.
“Where are you?”
“I’m in Queens, just finished a shift at the food bank, serving meals, and you?”
“Yip, yip.”
Piper gasps. “Was that a puppy?”
“Maybe?”
“Where are you?” her voice goes from raspy to an excited squeak.
“I’m about to go and get my car, so I can pick you up.”
“Thank you, but I’m about to get on the train. Let’s meet at the station close to your place?”
I groan because even if I try to argue that she should wait for me, she’ll just do whatever the fuck she wants. “Fine, be careful, and text me when you’re approaching your stop.”
I almost runout of the apartment and forget the puppy when I receive Piper’s text, knowing she was probably a block away from home when she remembered my request. She was probably making a list of things she wants to donate to the food bank, playing a new song in her head, or chatting with one of her family members.
The lock of the building door clicks when I hear her voice. “Oh my God! Is that a puppy?”
I turn around, and she’s already stretching her arms. “Can I carry her, please?”
I snort, lean forward, and kiss her cheek. “You want to meet your new friend?”
Piper nods and takes the little furry girl into her arms. “Gah, I think I just fell in love.”
“I knew you would.”
Her eyes brighten when she looks at me. “It’s good to see you, Derek. But what are you going to do with a puppy?”
“I came across this little one, and I thought… Piper could use a new best friend.”
“A puppy for me?” Piper frowns, then looks down at the pup. “That’s a big commitment.”
