The first night I followed another server all evening and watched her make three hundred dollars. She tipped me out ten.
The second night went the same way, but I’d memorized the menu that day. The third night she followed me. I had no problems catching onto the computer and drew in two hundred and eight bucks. She got to keep all the tips but tipped me out twenty.
On the fourth night I finally got my own section. I’d waited tables before so this was par for the course. My feet were tired, I never fell asleep before three in the morning, but at least I couldn’t think about Hunter so much.
I was moving on.
I refused to let somebody else write my life.
My family, skeptical of all the changes in my life, especially in lieu of my temporary notoriety, reluctantly helped me clean out my storage unit and move into my own place.
And now, hanging up a photo of my parents, I was determined to make this tiny studio apartment feel like home.
I straightened the frame and stepped back.
Despite the hole in my heart, I felt more empowered than I had since Bernadette died. My own apartment, an honest job. I was even working on my thesis again.
I wasn’t gonna fall apart.
I hung a few more photos and put the hammer away. I’d set today aside to read over the work I’d already done on my thesis It was my first day off in five nights.
I opened my laptop and automatically went to my email.
Uh oh.
An email from Men for Mutts. I hesitated to open it. Had he gone on the date? Did I owe them ten thousand dollars? Unwilling to worry over something that hadn’t happened yet, I opened the email and couldn’t help smiling.
Aww…
A photo of Tobey, the little dog who’d escorted Hunter down the runway for the auction, appeared on my screen. They wanted me to know that as the bidder, I was to be notified of Tobey’s circumstances. Tobey still hadn’t found a home. Since the facility was filled to capacity, Tobey needed a walker. Was I interested in volunteering? If so, I could call and schedule an appointment.
Nobody had adopted him yet? I glanced around my apartment. Old Hardwood floor. I knew I could have a pet if I was willing to put up an additional two hundred and fifty dollar deposit.
I touched the number and put the call through.
Oddly enough, they seemed to know who I was as soon as I told them my name. That damn story. I asked if I could still adopt Tobey and they put me on hold. I remember how sweet he’d been with Hunter. Both of us had started that evening with so much promise and now both of us were alone.
It was kismet.
“Hello, Miss Mercer?”
“Yes. I wondered if Tobey was still available for adoption?”
“Um. Well, actually, yes. Would it be possible for you to come to the facility today?”
“Yes.” I glanced around my apartment. “Absolutely. I can be there in about half an hour.” I still had my mom’s car from the move. If I was gonna do this, I needed to do it today.
“Oh, wonderful.” When you get here, ask for Laura. That’s me.”
“What do I need to bring?”
“Um… Well…” She seemed kind of clueless for someone who would have done this hundreds of times. “Uh, yes. A $35 adoption fee and that uh… that’s all.”
Um. “Okay.” I shook my head and ended the call.
I was getting a dog.
I found my shoes, donned a sweater, and drove straight to the address from the email. I should have thought this out first. Given myself time to stop at a pet store first and pick up supplies.
