“You still drinking coffee?” I asked as I turned around, grabbing the mug.
She nodded.
I handed her the coffee, and she took a seat, sipping a couple of times. I grabbed the plate and popped it into the microwave, trying to think of how I could make this better.
“I am sorry, Nora.”
She looked up from her coffee and smiled at me. “I know that.”
“I will make it right,” I said, leaning back against the sink. “I don’t want this rift between us. I hate it.”
She took another sip of her coffee. “I just need time,” she said with a weak voice. “I know you’re sorry, but it doesn’t make the words disappear.” She set the mug down. “I need to get to work.”
I nodded, understanding. I couldn’t stop the ache.
Nora gave me a tight smile as she got up. I sighed, glancing down at Charlie as he lay on the ground sunbathing. I could hear the door open and shut, and I closed my eyes, reminding myself to take this slow. I couldn’t expect everything to go back to normal because I said sorry.
Over the next week, I tried to give her space. When she did come to the house, I tried to learn what upset her stomach and what she would eat. I cooked dinner and asked her to stay. Some days she did, and others she didn’t.
I watched after Charlie, joining her on walks in the afternoon, and offered to help her wherever she needed a hand. I was doing everything I could to prove that I wanted her back.
I stopped in at the shelter, bringing her lunch and offering to pick her up if she needed. I offered Mike, the owner, a hand to run errands if he wanted an extra hand, since I knew it was just him and Nora working there.
I was doing everything I could to prove that I wanted her to stay. I wanted to prove that I was a good man and nothing like my father. I wouldn’t be like my father.
I pulled up in front of the shelter and grabbed the lunch bag I’d picked up for her. I headed inside and found Mike at the front desk. He was writing something in his notebook and looked up as the bell above the door went off. He smiled instantly when he spotted me.
He chuckled as the door shut behind me. “Kaleb, this is day five in a row you’ve been here.”
“I brought lunch,” I said, holding the bag up. “Burgers today.”
Mike raised an eyebrow at me. “You didn’t have to do that.”
I shrugged. “I had the time. You and Nora have been busy with the extra hands and the sick kittens in the back.” I opened the bag and placed a burger right next to his hand. “Double patty, with extra onions and pickles.” I pulled out a container of fries.
Mike smiled. “You’re spoiling us, Kaleb. If you keep this up, I’ll start expecting it.”
I laughed, pointing toward the back door. “Is she in the back?”
He nodded, grabbed the burger, and started to unwrap it. “Yeah, she’s letting the dogs out.”
I gave him a head nod as I pushed the door open. I peered into the dog area and found the kennels open and empty. The back door was also open, so I walked over and found Nora outside. She was wearing a pair of worn jeans and a tight sweater around her middle. She had on a hat and some mittens.
The dogs were running around, and she was watching them. Her arms were crossed as she held a soft smile on her face. She looked at peace while she watched the dogs. I always knewshe loved this work and that it brought her happiness, but seeing her like this was nice. It brought me happiness that she had at least had something. I hadn’t screwed everything up for her.
“Hey.”
She jumped and turned around, looking at me, stunned. “Jesus Christ. Kaleb, what are you doing here?”
I held the bag up, giving her a big grin. “I brought you lunch. Well, I brought you and Mike lunch. I got you some chicken strips and fries.”
She crossed her arms. “You don’t have to bring us food every day.”
I shrugged, setting the bag down on the stool. “You guys have been busy, and I thought it’d be nice. Besides, it gives me a reason to come down here and see you.”
She walked over, looking into the bag. I watched her eyes instantly zone in on the fries. She reached in and grabbed them, popping one into her mouth. “Thank you.”
“How has today been? Are the dogs all getting along?”
