Then the photo popped up,and he swore to himself.
Chapter 13
Ansley had been feelingsorry for herself. She wanted to call and text Link all day, but she knew that would be too much.
When her friend, Luis, stopped by, she snapped a photo and decided to send it to Link. He didn’t text back, but then she realized she hadn’t attached the photo.
She rolled her eyes and included the photo of her with her friend’s dog.
“Your dog is great,” Ansley said.
“You realize he’s a service dog.”
She set her phone down after actually sending Link the photo and met Luis’s gaze. “What do you mean?”
“I got him for my PTSD and depression. He came in and signaled on you, noting your mood.”
Ansley sobered as she stroked the dog’s head. “So you’re saying your dog flagged on me?”
“How bad was your last mission?” Luis asked.
Ansley closed her eyes and shook her head. “We lost four. I was held hostage. My arm still aches a little, but it’s my leg. It hurts like a bitch.”
"I'm sorry. I had to get out, and even then, I'm a mess."
“I’m sorry it was so bad for you,” Ansley said.
“Yeah. It sucks.”
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. "He said 'cute dog.' Your dog is cute. I wonder…"
“What?” Luis asked.
The dog sat down and put his head on her lap. “Will I ever feel normal?”
“Probably. Some days I feel better. I mean, two years ago I couldn’t have even come to visit you.”
“Yeah, you’ve made progress. I should have stopped by more.”
Luis shook his head. “You’ve been busy with work. I came by because I want you to know I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
“So are you staying in or leaving?” Luis asked.
“I’m getting out. After being captured and held, there is no way I could stay in. It was bad.”
"Yeah. It changes you. Will you stay in California?"
She shook her head. "I want to travel a little, and I can't stay here. It's too expensive. I need to get away from military life, or it might just suck me back in when life gets tough."
“Yeah. I get that. I’m here, but one more increase in my rent, and I might need to leave.”
The dog lifted his head and licked Ansley on the face. She grabbed her phone and snapped another photo of the dog.
“What kind of dog is this?”
“He’s a pitbull mix.”
