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The quick walk through the woods holding Dolly was just a long-winded prayer for my shame.
I felt Dolly’s short legs tighten on my arm as we went down a set of wide steps into the parking area. Loading her up in the car, she hopped into her carrier and did a quick spin around just like the times before. But this time, she was wagging her tail when she looked back at me.
“Did you have fun, Dolly?” I put my hands on my hips, smiling at her for an answer, and tilted my head. She started to wag harder, and then the best thing happened: she barked in reply.
I closed her door, and we zipped home. The sun was setting fast now, and I heard my phone buzzing. It was probably my mother letting me know she was tracking my location and that I missed my turn. The old me would’ve glanced at it at a stop sign. But I had precious cargo now, so my mother could wait until I got home.
I’d forgotten my mild starvation by the time we pulled into my parking spot. I’d have to make do with something I already had, but at this point, anything I could find was better than leaving the house again. When we got in, Dolly went straight to her water bowl and was lapping it up. I found a box of macaroni and cheese from my pantry and decided this was a day that only cheesy carbs could cure.
While the water boiled on the stove, I heard another buzz from my phone.
“Just a second, mom!” I called out as if she could hear me.
But it wasn’t my mother. It was Samantha texting me.
Hey, girl. You will never guess who I just got off the phone with. Eli, which I am presuming you’ve already met. LOL! Tommy remembers him adopting Carter a few years back and said he’s cool. Anyway...he asked me for your phone number. Just wanted to check with you before I pass it along. Let me know what happens with Eli (heart eyes emoji) (dog emoji) (twins emoji).
Wait just a minute.He called her?For my phone number? Maybe—oh my. Either he sincerely just wanted the dogs to meet, and it was never a romanticthing or—or—
I decided to reply to Samantha immediately.
Hello there! Yes, we did meet briefly at the dog park. Sure, you may pass my phone number along. He mentioned the dogs’ wanting playdates. Think he is married or engaged though, so it’s just about the dogs. (dog emoji)
My water was at a roaring boil, so I quickly threw down my phone on the table to tend to it, slowly adding in my macaroni.
“Virtual assistant: play soft music.”
A lovely instrumental came on quietly in the background. I peeked over the pony wall in my kitchen to where Dolly’s bowls had been set up on the backside and saw she’d moved on from her water to her kibble. Her little crunch noises were adorable too as she took a few kibbles and chewed proudly, mouth open.
Watching this little well-behaved sweetheart enjoy her food in her new apartment wearing her new sweater made my heart skip.
DearJesus,
Thank you for this unexpected adventure with a dog. You sure do know what you're doing.
In your name,
Amen
I really enjoying Dolly’s company. She was the perfect little friend for me.
My phone buzzed again. Thinking it was Samantha, I reached over, already smiling. I was wrong again. It was Eli.
Hey! This is Eli from the Bark Park (tennis ball emoji). You took off before I could get your number. Samantha passed it along to me, but said she got your permission first. Does that mean youwillsee us for a playdate? Carter sure wouldenjoy it!
I set the phone face down on my counter. It was almost time to drain the macaroni, and I started to have a hot flash. This handsome guy with a matching dog wanted a platonic relationship with me. What should I do? There was only one person to consult: My mother.
Dolly and I got settled on the couch, and I removed her sweater and harness, grabbing my big bowl of macaroni, and dialing my mother for a video call. She answered on the first ring.
“Well, there you are!” She sounded alarmed, but she was smiling. “There’s my girl! How are you?”
“I’m fine—”
She cut me off. “Yes, I can see that, Katie. I was talking to Dolly.”
She asked Dolly a few more questions and got a head tilt in response. “I was reading online that poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds around. She can understand me, you know.”
I was laughing already. “No doubt she can, mom.” I paused. “Well, I have a mystery that I need an armchair detective to help me solve.”
