“Forever.” Day whimpered. “I want you forever.”
Goldie wasn’t sure if Day meant that, assuming it was something he was just saying in the heat of the moment because he was so emotional. Still, it made Goldie’s heart flutter a bit, and he held Day closer. He rubbed his back and pressed little kisses into his hair until Day stopped crying.
“I’m sorry,” Day mumbled as he pulled away. “I made a mess of your coat.”
“It’s okay.” Goldie smiled, and he grabbed some napkins out of the glove compartment. “See? That’s why I keep these. Never know when you might need them.” He offered them to Day.
Day took them to dry off his face and blow his nose, sighing in disgust at himself. “Ugh.”
“It’s all right.” Goldie rubbed Day’s leg. “You get as snotty as you need to, okay? This was a big step for you today. I know it was hard, and I’m really proud of you.”
“Really?” Day blinked.
“Really.” Goldie leaned over to kiss his cheek.
Day’s blotchy cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and he smiled weakly. “Thank you, my angel. You really are amazing.”
“So are you, baby.” Goldie smiled reassuringly as he said, “We’re gonna get you through this, okay? You don’t have any reason to ever come back to this place now. It’s over. Done. That part of your life is behind you, and we can move forward together.”
“Together,” Day repeated.
“Damn skippy.” Goldie settled into his seat to take the wheel. “So, where to, baby? Do you still want to go to the animal rescue or do you wanna go home?”
“The rescue,” Day said firmly. He wiped his face off again, hurriedly getting his seat belt on. “I want to finish what I started. I still want to do good.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
Goldie was happy to leave the dismal neighborhood behind, and Day’s mood seemed to brighten the farther away they got. Goldie was confident that Day was feeling much better—that is, until Goldie pulled up to the front door of the animal rescue.
“What is this?” Day asked worriedly.
“The city’s animal rescue?” Goldie replied.
“No, no, no.” Day fidgeted. “This is a church.”
“Uh, no. It used to be a church, like, ten years ago.” Goldie frowned. “The church closed down, and the city got the property. Gave it to the rescue—”
“But the rescue is beside the hardware store!” Day argued frantically. “That’s where it is. I remember seeing the puppies when Father went to the hardware store.”
“Yes, that’s where it was ten years ago,” Goldie gently corrected. He reached for Day’s hand. “Hey, talk to me. Did you and your Father come here when it was still a church?”
Day nodded sadly.
“More bad memories?”
Day nodded again, and he stared out the windshield.
“Look, I know it’s been a big day, and we don’t have to do this right now if you don’t want to.” Goldie squeezed Day’s hand. “We can always come back.” He paused. “Do you want me to come in with you? Would that help?”
Day looked to Goldie, nodding again. His eyes were wide and damp with unshed tears, and he whispered, “Yes, please. I don’t… I don’t wanna go alone.”
“You got it, baby.”
Goldie pulled back out so he could circle around to find a place to park. There was a lot behind the rescue, and Goldie snagged a spot close to the building. There was a large, fenced in play area with an iced over water trough, and two dogs were out romping through the snow and chasing each other.
There was an older man watching them, and he started fussing for them to go on and do their business so they could go back in.
The dogs paid him no mind and went on playing.
