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“That’s Mickey and Minnie. They are only 12 weeks old and just full of it day and night.” She looked over at me with dark circles under her eyes. “We also adopted a cat at the same time, she’s even younger. It’s the moment we fall asleep she decides it’s time to run errands for hours on end. I have no idea what she does in the living room, but it sounds like she’s fastened a baseball bat to her tail withall the banging.”
We both laughed at her exhaustion. “They are just so cute though. I can replace the broken parts.” She shrugged.
The broken parts.I had first-hand experience of a pet helping heal the broken parts of my heart while God finished up the rest.
“It sounds like you have your hands full.”
“I’ve never had so much fun, to be honest. What’s that quote, ‘Not until we are bored, do we really find ourselves?’ I was just in a rut in my life when a friend suggested I adopt. Obviously, she was surprised I came home with three pets! But once I was there, I realized I had a lot of love to give. I’d even take another one.”
We both looked to the wooded area as voices emerged. It was Eli andanother womanI immediately recognized from the social media profile. She was stunning. She had long dark hair with bright blonde chunky streaks. A natural tan to her creamy complexion. Full lips and dark almond eyes. Eli locked eyes on me and didn’t break the connection until their walk led right to the bench I was sitting on. Carter jumped up, remembering me, and wanting to be petted. Dolly barked at the sight, although I wasn’t sure if it was Eli or Carter.
“Hi, Carter.” I scratched behind his ears, and he wagged his tail rapidly.
“Katie. I didn’t know you’d be here today. You should’ve texted me.” Eli acted like he’d been caughtred-handed.
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I have the week off.” My mother would fume if she heard me reveal my work schedule to a stranger. Well, I supposed he wasn’t quite a stranger anymore.
“Hi there. I’m Katie. and that’s Dolly.” I held my hand out to the woman who was now awkwardly third-wheeling our conversation. I knew too well how that felt.
“Carolyn. Nice to meet you, Katie.” She looked over at Dolly, making the connection of the twin dogs.
“Oh my!”
I went to get Dolly out of the pen as I needed a physical buffer from theromantic connection between Eli and Carolyn.
“They are identical!” Thank you, Magellan, we hadn’t noticed. Sigh. My back was to them still while I gathered my thoughts.
Dear Jesus,
Please forgive me for being such a jerk. I ask for Your peace to wash over me and guard my heart, mind, and mouth for behaving in such a way.
In your name,
Amen
Holding Dolly, I considered the escape route of just walking down the path and leaving, but I remembered my purse was sitting on the bench.I didn’t like that purse anyway. I could cancel the cards, get a new phone. Be back in business by the end of the day.Kind of hard to do without my car keys, however.
I spun around on my heels, a smile plastered across my face. I also squinted my eyes, so it looked genuine; but no doubt about it—I looked like a psychopath.
Sitting back down on the bench, Dolly on my lap, I looked at Eli and Carolyn. Why were they still here? Shouldn’t they have been out in a flowery field barefoot and getting married? Wow,someone’s jealous,I argued with myself.
Carolyn turned to Eli, now wondering the same thing. “Ready to go?” They came together, I guess. Eli, to my surprise,ignoredher.
“How was your date?”
Carolyn's eyes widened at the diss, but turned to me, expecting something interesting.
“I wouldn’t call it a date.” I rolled my eyes.
Wait. Did I speak too soon? Should I have hinted that it wasamazing?The woman next to me on the bench readjusted her seat, now sitting with one leg under her, and half turned so she could best watch this drama unfold.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He smiled. I looked away fast, in fear of being charmed by his perfectly imperfect teeth.
“Well, we better head out.” He finally turned to Carolyn and acknowledged her. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and something caught the sunlight on her hand.Her left hand.
Dear Jesus,
Give me strength.
