She hums in agreement. “Want to take him out?”
I nod, and she grabs a leash hanging on the side of the kennels before unlocking the door. She hands me the thin fabric, and Bruno doesn’t even stir from his spot. I kneel down. “Hey bud.”
His ear perks slightly, but he still doesn’t move.
“Want to go on a walk?” He moves a little, just the smallest swish of his tail.
I don’t push him, opting to just wait. He must realize I’m not leaving because his head lifts up a bit and he looks at me. Even his big brown eyes look sad as he stares at me. I lift up the leash to show him and he starts to stand. It’s slow, and he keeps his head low as he approaches me.
“Wow,” the woman sighs. “This is the first time I’ve seen him get up for anyone.”
I want to feel proud of that, but it just makes my chest hurt even more. My leg aches from the way I’m kneeling on the hard floor, but I refuse to move. I don’t want to scare him and ruin the little bit of trust I’ve somehow built.
He nudges my hand, and I pet his soft fur; he looks at me a little more, and gets closer. I lift the leash higher,. “Walk?”
He lets me slip it around his neck and I’m finally able to stand, my legs protesting as they stretch. The woman looks at me in awe as I lead Bruno out. The shelter isn’t near a busy road, and has walking paths throughout the forest around the property.
Not wanting to rush the dog, I let him take in his surroundings as slow as he wants. He walks with his head low, but his ears aren’t completely pinned back so I know that’s a good sign.
I don’t try to talk to him, instead enjoying the peaceful quiet as we walk. I think about the few things I need to take care of at home, which then leads me to thinking of what else is at home, or more so who’s next door. She’ll probably be home by the time I get back, not that I’ll get to see her since she holes up in her house just as much as I do.
Bruno stops lifting his head slightly.
“What is it?”
Listening intently, I try to hear what he does, but there’s nothing other than the leaves rustling in the slight breeze. Bruno doesn’t move, just looks off in the distance at something I can’t see while hearing something Ican’t hear.
He’s on alert, just like I am in almost every situation. I didn’t know I could relate to a dog more than I do in this moment. He finally relaxes subtly, dropping his head again and leading us down the path.
When we’re done with the walk, I don’t want to put him back in the kennel. Especially when I see the way he resists walking in. Again, I don’t force him, but I do ask for some treats to help. Though, as the kennel is closed on him I want to rip the metal apart and take him out again. To take him away from here and never bring him back.
But I can’t do that. I don’t know how to take care of a dog or if I would even be good at it. Plus all the animals here need homes, and I can’t bring home every single one just because I feel bad, no matter how much I want to.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” I promise because if I can’t bring him home, I’ll certainly take him out every day until someone else comes along to give him his forever home. Everyone deserves the opportunity to get a second chance at life.
At least that’s what I’ve been told, even if I think it’s bullshit for myself. I got my second chance, and I’ll never understand why. I also feel like I’m completely wasting it, so this is the least I can do.
CHAPTER 8
Bailey
Sutton shutdown Lily’s suggestion for a bachelorette party almost immediately. However, just like everything with her, she didn’t let it go right away. Somehow, she convinced Sutton for a lowkey girls night instead of the Las Vegas showdown she was hoping for. Andsomehow, that girls night ended up being at my house, without my say in the matter. Lily insisted that it can’t be at her house since she stays with her mom during the summer. And it can’t be at Sutton’s house because she lives with Jameson.
Apparently suggesting that he have his own guys night out is not enough for her, and that’s how Sutton and Lily ended up here. I don’t necessarily mind, it’s just hard to let people into my space sometimes. It feels vulnerable, like they can see things I don’t want to share. Despite the fact that they’re my friends.
“Shot time!” Lily announces holding up a bottle she brought.
“What game are you going to make us play this time?” Sutton sighs, dropping back against my couch.
“No games necessary. Just drinking, we’re celebrating Sutton no longer being a single woman,” she declares.
“I mean I technically haven’t been single for awhile but?—”
“Single. Woman.” She cuts her off and I shake my head.
“Alright, no game, then pour the drinks.”
She does, and my phone dings reminding me to put it on silent, and then I look down rolling my eyes at who it is.
