“You don’t have to ask me twice. Huh, little Maui. We’re gonna be best friends.”
My dastardly plan is already working.
Leaving the girls to get to know each other, I set up the training crate in the laundry room and install the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. Finished, I find them both lying on the couch, Maui fast asleep as Daisy strokes her soft little body.
I sit at the opposite end of the couch and lift Daisy's feet to my lap. She pretends to talk to the dog. “And listen, your dad, well... he can be a lot. This is gonna be a big change for him. He’s used to being the cute one, and you’re gonna steal all of his attention. So, take it easy on him. I’m only a phone call away if you need me. I’ll puppynap you and we’ll go to the lake where you can run free and play in the water.”
I steal her focus by rubbing one of her bare feet. “You can see her whenever you want. I still think co-parenting could work.”
Sitting up, she pulls her feet away from me. “Owen, as much as I would love to, my place is all whites and creams, and I don’t have the space you do. I’m happy to babysit whenever you need.”
“We’ll start slow. When I get stuck at work, or on late football nights, you can let her out and feed her. And you can have all the visitation rights you want.”
“This is all some sort of scheme, isn’t it?”
I shrug. “Nah. I just think we would be great co-parents.”
And yes, I was hoping the dog would lure you in.
“With football season in full swing, plus my regular work week, I could use the help, and you could use the puppy fix. I’m gone way too often, and it won’t be fair to her. We don’t want her potty training derailed or for her to get separation anxiety from being left alone all the time.”
“Then why did you adopt her?”
“Because I knew I could count on you. And I knew you would want me to count on you for this one.”
Because I know you.
She studies my face. I’m not sure what she’s looking for, but I don’t dare look away. I want her to see how serious I am about this.
About her.
She breaks her gaze to look down at the puppy lying against her thigh.
“Let’s just give it a shot, and if it’s too much and you’re not interested, you’ll tell me.”
“And this isn’t about us? You aren’t expecting anything more than co-parenting?”
If that’s what you need to tell yourself, Clover.
“It’s about Maui.”
At the reminder of her new little friend's name, the corners of Daisy’s lips lift into a smile. Moments like this with Daisy are rare, but I live for them. This quiet moment on the couch settles me.
She’s right where she needs to be.
“I may notco-parentwith you,” she says, holding her fingers up in air quotes. “But you know that I’ll always be here to help if I can. I’m sure we can work something out, especially during football season.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Maui wakes up and walks across the couch to me. “Come on, little girl, let’s go outside and go potty.”
I scoop her up, and Daisy follows us through the house to the back door. I flip on the backyard lights, and the three of us step outside. I put her in the yard, and like a perfect little angel, she pees the moment her paws hit the grass.
“Good girl,” Daisy praises her, then looks at me and whispers. “She’s so smart.”
