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This was fun.
“G39. O Thirty-NINE. As in my age for the last four years.” He was one of those funny people that, no matter what he said, people giggled.
The game went on a few more calls until a red-haired woman stood with both arms in the air and whispered, “Bingo,” as if halfway through, she changed her mind.
A few people clapped, and Melanie went around with a stack of cards. I finished my food while Dolly licked her bowl clean.
“How was your dinner?” Melanie smiled.
“Oh, it was amazing! Thank you for the recommendation.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully we will see more of you ladies here! Can I get you anything else?” She motioned to her cards.
“Yes, could I get a few more cards?”
Melanie nodded. Sure, they are a dollar a-piece. How many would you like?”
“Well, it's for charity after all. How about three?”
Melanie pulled them out of her apron and set them out in front of me.
“And what about another drink? The Shanghai Shar Pei Mocktail is my personal favorite.”
“Yes, please!” I felt a little too eager, but after that delicious heavy meal, I needed something sugary to keep me alert.
She returned with a lemony grenadine drink that had a bright purple straw and cherries on top. It was deliciously smooth with a hint of toasted coconut. I loved this place.
“Okay Bingo round 2 starts now!” Liam called out, his fingers making a ‘2’ that he immediately turned into a disco dance.
I ended up staying and played three more games and won the final round.When Liam called out that last number, “O29, as in,oh my word, I’m 29 and still single,”I surprised myself when I stood up and called out, “BINGO!”
I was proud, but it wasn’t over the top like some of the winners. For the most part, this seemed like a group of fellow introverts.
“Congratulations! Come up here with your card to verify your winnings.” I picked up Dolly and we waltzed up, confidently. A few people mumbled, ‘aww’when they saw her.
“Looks great. Here you go.” Liam handed me the prize winnings which must have been around a hundred dollars from the feeling of it. I didn’t know what to do next, so I whispered, “I’d like to donate this to the Paws.”
Liam put his hands up to his chest. “Thank you so much. They will really appreciate it.” He gave me a little slip about the pet rescue, and I went back to my seat and gathered my things.
“Thank you for coming in!” Melanie’s voice rang as I walked out.
“We had a lovely time, Melanie. Thank you. We will be back.”
It was getting late, and we were both yawning all the way home. Once inside our apartment, I kicked off my shoes and Dolly trotted to her water bowl. I went straight for my pajama drawer and found something extra comfortable and got ready for bed.
“That was fun, Dolly. I couldn’t have gone without you.” I know she didn’t understand, but I hoped she felt that I appreciated her for opening my world up in unexpected ways.
Getting a second wind, I decided to deal with the mess around my living room before bed. Dolly had taken to her bed and went to sleep. I started gathering up my laundry and dishes that had been used and abandoned when I heard soft noises coming from Dolly’s bed. I walked over. It appeared she was having anightmare.Oh my, what could she be dreaming about that would be scary? Surely, she had a pampered life!
It reminded me of when I was a kid, and my mother had a nightmare so scaryshe screamed and woke herself up. My dad had always been a heavy sleeper, so much so that you’d wonder if he was even alive. You could pluck his nose hairs, and he wouldn’t wake up. I am speaking from experience.
But this nightmare scream from my mother did wake him. He rolled over, not even half concerned. There were so many things he could’ve said or done. Was there a killer in the house? Had someone broken in and was stealing the contents of our underwear drawers? But no. My mother was disgusted to report that instead of lunging to protect his family just in case of a burglar, he said, “What? Did your shopping cart fall over during the blue-light special?”
I opened the directions for the doggy wardrobe my mother sent and took out the pieces. I wasn’t handy in the least, but I thought I owned a screwdriver. After rummaging through my junk drawer, I found a small yellow one. I got to work on the wardrobe.
With my new dog sleeping and the rush from the first few days of my new life now quiet, I finally had a chance to reflect on the transformation that had happened in only a few days. This little fluffy creature had unconditional love to give. Having her meant I had a pass to a whole new world of activities with people just like me, and I’d already met several eligible bachelors, even if they would never be eligible for me.
In this experience, I felt God’s love profoundly mirrored in that of my new pet. I was no longerlonely.
