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Thinking boarding school—or at least doggie day care with an obedience program might not be a bad idea—I make a mental note to discuss that with Barrett later.
“Now, come here, Beastie,” he says, reaching for the snuffling animal.
To everyone’s surprise, Keanu looks up, grins like the happiest monster in Too Many Teeth Town, and leaps at Barrett’s chest. Barrett catches him, easily supporting him with one hand as he reaches over and turns off the stove with the other. He moves the now quite stinky eggs to a cool burner and turns back to me with a gargling pup nuzzling his shirt.
“Is he…purring?’ I ask, cocking my head to one side.
“I think so.” Barrett seems uncomfortable, but when he glances down at the fawning Keanu, a small smile curves his lips. “He was doing it last night, too, while we were watching television. I thought maybe he liked PBS NewsHour, but maybe not.”
“Definitely not,” I say, my chest filling with warmth. “No one gets that happy about the news. He just loves his uncle.”
“I’m so glad. Honestly, I think I scared him as much as he scared me. I didn’t expect him to be able to jump that high. I think he might be part kangaroo,” Nora says, swiping at her damp cheeks as she continues to crouch on top of the counter, like a very cute goblin dressed all in pink.
Nora spends most of her time at home, running her handmade purse business and caring for her aging grandmother, but every time I see her, she’s always dressed like she’s headed to New York fashion week. Today is no different. Her gauzy top, tailored pink shorts, and white knee socks paired with pink heels would look ridiculous on me, but on blond and curvy Nora, they’re adorable.
And at least partially ruined.
“Here, let me help you down, honey,” I say, digging into the purse still looped across my chest as I go. I pull out sixty dollars, then think better of it and grab twenty more. “And this is for your shirt.” I press it into her hands as I reach for her elbow.
She takes it on instinct, but immediately tries to give it back. “Oh, no, Wren, I couldn’t. Barrett already paid me, and besides this is way too much. All I did was let Keanu out to pee at noon and five. And I picked up his poo, but it was so tiny, it wasn’t gross at all. Before the egg incident, I was actually thinking maybe I could handle a small dog.”
“It’s for your shirt,” I say, holding up a palm to refuse the money. “And I think a dog would be great for you and your gram, but you should make sure you find one you’re really comfortable with first. And probably one who’s a little less…eclectic than Keanu.”
“His paws and tongue are completely fine. No burns at all,” Barrett mumbles, lifting the happily wriggling dog up to stare deeper into its mouth. “He might actually be part hellhound. Or demon.”
Nora’s eyes go wide. “I don’t believe in demons, but you’re right, Wren. I need a calm, sweet, normal dog who can only jump a foot or two off the ground and respects the rules of fire and the universe. I’ve always been a bit of a chicken around animals.” She shivers. “Remember third grade?”
“And the way you hid under Mrs. Field’s desk every time she let the guinea pig out to play on the carpet during inside free time?’ I ask, rubbing Nora’s back as she nods and shivers again. “I do.”
“What a weirdo I was,” Nora mutters. “And still am, I guess.” She glances down at the spatula still in her hand.
“We’re all weird in one way or another,” I say, collecting the spatula and dropping it in the sink before guiding her to the door. “Don’t be hard on yourself. And tell your gram hi for me.”
“Will do. Sorry again, Barrett,” she calls past me. “I was really hoping this would work out, but I don’t think I’m ready to be a dog sitter.”
“It’s fine, Nora,” he says, offering her a smile over the still snuggle-inclined Keanu’s head. “Thanks for trying and I’ll figure something out. No worries at all.”
After I’ve assured Nora twice more that I want her to keep the eighty dollars and closed the door behind her, I turn back to see Barrett patiently enduring face licks from his new best friend. “Well, well,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “If this isn’t looking like a match made in heaven, I don’t know what is.”
“He’s a shameless feral beast who scared his dog sitter and peed in my shoes last night before I hid the rest of them in a locked closet.”
I shrug. “Nothing a little training can’t cure. I know a great doggie day care. Want me to call and see if they have space for Keanu?”
