She looks at Bruno, then back to me, and narrows her eyes. “Who is that, then? A family member?”
“Yeah, my brother.”
“Makes sense. Always thought you were a dog.”
I almost laugh, but I just smirk. “Just give in, Angel, it’ll be easier for both of us.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Your show the other night says differently.”
Her jaw drops, but she shuts it quickly and storms away. I climb into my car, and Bruno looks at me like he has so many thoughts. Like he knows so much more than he can let on.
“Don’t worry, she likes it. It’s only a matter of time before she admits it.” I make sure to be extra loud as I take off, driving the short distance it takes to get to the dog grooming salon, Barkin’ Pups.
Bruno is nervous once again as we walk in. I regret bringing him to another new place, but this is somewhere dogs go, so it would make sense, I think.
“Hi bitch!”
I rear back, wondering who would greet someone like that before I come face to face with a white bird who starts barking at me and I quickly realize it was him.
“Jerry Lee, you’re fired,” Sutton says right before she appears. “Wes, hey. What are you doing here?”
“I have a new…” I pause, he’s not my dog so it’s not fair to claim he is. “I’m fostering a dog.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Sutton drops down, and stretches her hand toward Bruno. “You’re so cute, what’s your name?”
“Bruno,” I answer because he clearly won’t.
He sniffs her hand, and then steps closer allowing her to pet him.
“What a sweet boy,” she coos.
“Do you want to adopt him?” I offer.
She chuckles lightly. “I would adopt every single dog if I could. Why don’t you?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing with him, which is actually why I’m here.”
“Oh.” She stands up again. “Do you need help with something? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s okay I think. I know he needs to be walked and fed and I got him a bed, but what else does he need?”
She bites back a smile, and shakes her head. “There isn’t some big secret handbook on taking care of a dog. Just give them attention, love, food, and a safe place to stay.”
It really can’t be that simple, can it? That’s kind of what Gloria said too and I don’t believe it.
“What about bringing him here for…this.”
Again, I see her stifle a smile. “You should talk to Jameson about your lack of dog grooming knowledge. You two can bond over it.”
“Hot guy, Jameson!”the bird squawks.
“Do you like your feathers, Jerry Lee? Because I’ll start plucking!” she threatens.
“So he doesn’t need to come here?” I clarify.
“He can get a bath, maybe deshedding, and his nails trimmed every six to eight weeks.”
