“I’m sorry,” he blurted, wanting her to care for him once more. The days without her had been empty and gray. As if without her near, he’d never feel warm again.
She gave him a guarded look, and even that made everything better. “O-kay.” She sighed. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes, I don’t want you mad at me. I’m sorry.” He’d say it a million times if she’d forgive him.
“Good. So you won’t make decisions for me again, right?” She looked him in the eye.
He didn’t want to lie, but… “I will try not to.”
“I guess that works.” She sounded grumpy. Then she handed him something. A pet carrier, and it had something in it.
He held it up to see what she had in there. “The Chihuahua? You still have him? I thought you had left him at the vet to foster.”
She shrugged. “I was going to, but they had a huge intake of dogs from a pet hoarder and needed my help. Plus he’s so small. I worry he’ll just sit there with his blind eye and ripped ear and get passed over. And his attitude isn’t helping.” She glared down at the dog, but he could see her fighting a smile. Especially when the dog looked at her and barked on cue.
“Hey, little guy. I missed you.” Axel crooned to him, and the dog calmed at once, so he set down the cage.
“That issounfair. I’ve been the one feeding you, Chi-Chi.”
“Nice name.” He wouldn’t smile.
“Yeah? What do you call your pregnant cat?” Who happened to waddle up to them, sniffing at the cage.
“I do not have a cat.”
Chi-Chi yapped once then put his nose at the bars. The cat sniffed him back, and they touched noses.
Axel knelt to let the dog out, prepared to scoop him up if he tried to hurt Queen. But the dog sniffed her for some time, and the cat let him. Then he started investigating Axel’s home, his nose to the floor, the cat trailing.
“Well?” Rena asked.
“Well what?”
“What’s her name?”
“Queen,” he muttered, beaten.
“Ha. You are such a softie!”
He frowned at her and went back into the living room. For a little payback, he turned on the video. “And for this, I am sorry as well.”
She stared at it, dumbfounded. “Oh my God. That’s… What is wrong with Snoopy that Woodstock—wait, that’s not… That is NOT the cartoon I remember!” She leaned closer. “Um, he, ah, he’s very excited right now.”
Axel grinned. “He does seem glad to be around all his naked friends.”
“Poor Charlie Crown.” She shook her head and turned away. “That is just so wrong.”
He chuckled. “Never again. I swear. Your next gift will be—”
“No.No. You don’t need to keep buying me stuff.” She sounded adamant.
“Now,Häschen,how will I prove myself if I cannot shower you with gifts?”
She gave him a pained smiled and said weakly, “Oh, sure. Okay.” She cleared her throat. “Actually, there is something I need from you.”
“Tell me.” He leaned against the back of the couch and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Well, remember when those girls took your picture at the diner?”
