“Wassup, boy!” I greeted him, holding him under his neck and rubbing.
We played for a few minutes before he calmed down and stood next to Naryah. She kneeled to his level to talk to him.
“Herqueles Javonte, what’s gotten into you? Huh, boy? When did you become so friendly? What if this man was coming to hurt me?”
“He knows I’m a good guy who means you well.”
She turned her head, angling it upward to look at me. I expected her to say something, but after a few beats, she looked away.
“Are you losing your fire, boy? Is your age catching up to you?”
She rubbed under his chin and on top of his head simultaneously.
“I remember you saying he wasn’t usually very friendly.”
She stood and returned to her seat while I remained on the first of two steps.
“The only people Que usually fucks with, excuse my language, are me and my son. He tolerates my mother and sister because he knows they don’t really do animals. He doesn’t bark or go into attack mode when they come around and is still very protective of them because he knows they’re family. Everyoneelse we encounter, he barks aggressively or growls, including other dogs.”
“That explains why you’re confused by his behavior toward me.”
“Very confused.”
“You mind if I sit?”
She shrugged and nodded toward the empty chair closest to her, but on the other side of the front door. I sat down, and Que came and sat next to me.
“Are you serious right now, Que?”
He whimpered but didn’t move, causing me to chuckle.
“If you trust his judgment, know that I’m not here to hurt you.”
She nodded toward a small round table next to her, and I noticed a pink .22 caliber gun that I hadn’t seen initially.
“Que would risk his life to save mine, but I’m no damsel in distress. It’s tiny, but it packs a punch if you know where to shoot. I call her Misty.”
Impressed, I nodded but wondered what happened in her past that made her keep her defenses up.
“So, what’s got you sitting on the porch at this late hour?”
“Just wanted to enjoy the quiet with a glass of wine. My days can be pretty hectic with work and mommy duties, especially in the summer.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m an accounts manager for an insurance company. Nothing special. You?”
“Retired Chicago police officer.”
“Retired? Chicago? Interesting.”
“How so?”
“You don’t look old enough to be retired, and Black Elm is a long way from Chicago.”
“If you want to know how old I am, just ask.”
“I didn’t want to know, but now I’m intrigued.”
