Hazel got behind the driver’s wheel and turned to Dottie.“Here we go!We’re off to the first of many adventures.”
The dog wagged her tail and barked as if to say okay.
Hazel drove home, dropped off most of the things she’d bought, and then took Dottie and one of her new comfy beds to the office.At six months of age, she was still a baby and would, Hazel hoped, curl up in her bed and go to sleep while she worked.
At the Center, everyone wanted to hold the dog or pet her until Hazel quietly put Dottie in her bed under her desk.The puppy, who was active earlier, slept soundly while Hazel caught up with her work.
The minute Dottie woke up, Hazel hurried her outside.And as the pamphlet suggested, Hazel clapped and fussed over her when Dottie performed.
Prancing with self-adoration, Dottie trotted inside and waited while Hazel got ready to go home.On the way out of the building, Hazel checked with Mallory to make sure the tennis camp was coming to a close for this session and that the new session would start on time.
Seeing Dottie, Mallory got down on her knees to pet her.
Dottie loved the attention, but when Hazel turned to leave, Dottie quickly followed.
###
At home, Hazel organized everything for the dog, placing a water bowl next to the crate and putting toys and the teddy bear in the crate.Dinner was one of three meals the pup would have, each one a healthy serving of food chosen by Gage.
The one note of warning Gage had given Hazel was to resist letting Dottie out of the crate at night, as she needed to be trained to sleep there.Later, when she was older, they could choose whether to let her in bed, but for now, it was an important part of training.
Hazel read this and looked down at the dog wagging her tail and looking up at her with a doggie grin.Could she do what Dr.Martens asked?
When Mike called to see how she was doing, he asked Hazel, “Are you following Gage’s instructions?He reminded me how important it was for Dottie to sleep in the crate at night.I know what a softie you are, but don’t give in.Okay?”
“Okay,” said Hazel.“She sure is cute.How is your work going there?”
“Fine,” said Mike.“I’m packing up my things here, checking on my remaining schedule here in Florida, have some other business to attend to, and will be home in three days.”
“We’ll both be waiting for you.Me and our baby.”
“What?”said Mike, sounding alarmed.“Baby?”
“Our fur baby,” Hazel said, chuckling.
They ended the call laughing together.
Hazel sat for a moment, thinking about babies, and turned to the dog.“C’mon, Dottie.We’ve got to go on an errand.”
###
Back at her house, Hazel sat in her bathroom and stared in dismay at the two lines of the test.
She tried another one.
Two lines appeared again.No doubt about it, she was pregnant.
She knew she couldn’t call her mother, and she didn’t want any of her friends to know before telling Mike.So, sitting on the floor of the bathroom, Hazel told Dottie all about how she wasn’t ready for such news, that it might ruin everything.
Sensing her unhappiness, Dottie climbed into Hazel’s lap and licked a tear from her cheek.
Hazel rubbed Dottie’s back, recalling the night it might have happened.Mike was usually careful about protection, and she was usually alert about confirming it.But one time, after having too much wine, they must have forgotten.Their lovemaking was that fantastic, Hazel thought, wanting to cry again.
###
That night, Hazel went to bed alone.Dottie was in her crate in a corner of the room so she could at least see Hazel.Not that it helped to keep the dog from crying.
At the sound, Hazel stiffened and placed a pillow over her head, trying to block out the noise.
