Ernie
Unsure how long the interview process would be, I’d taken the entire day off from work. Calling in late because you were looking for a better job didn’t seem like the best way to keep a current one. But that meant I had nothing planned for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
I wanted to celebrate. Was it premature? Absolutely. They didn’t tell me I had the job, but I left there confident. Unless the most amazing candidate ever to candidate showed up after me, the job was mine. That was what I kept telling myself, anyway. If it didn’t work out, I’d figure it out later. For now, I was going to live in the happy.
Normally, if I had a great day, I would either have some playtime at home or call my friends to go out. Unfortunately, it was the middle of the day, and my friends were all being adults. Not that I had a lot of friends in the city, but the ones I had weren’t able to come out and play now, and I wasn’t in a patient mood. I’d been on so many interviews and, for the first time ever, I left one feeling like I’d slayed it.
“Pup-Pup, I think I’ll just celebrate alone.” I reached into my bag and gave him a squeeze. “You were my lucky charm today.”
I grabbed a quick lunch at my favorite burger place. They didn’t buy into the whole new smash trend, and all the patties were thick greasy goodness. Unfortunately, the place was packed, and I couldn’t get my normal table. There were days when that would’ve meant I grabbed my meal to go, but not today. Nothing was going to break my great mood.
The line was growing as I stood there deciding what to do. I opted to eat at the counter. Every bite was fabulous, but withthe line still growing, I felt rushed to scarf it down. Tip on the counter, I walked outside, still not sure what I wanted to do next.
It was a gorgeous day and, after circling the block to window-shop, I decided it was a perfect afternoon for a walk. Some people got huge bottles of water, kept track of their steps, and timed themselves. Not me. I was a stroll-and-enjoy kind of guy.
After a quick stop at a new-to-me coffee shop, I headed to the park and wandered the paths. Quite crowded, given it was midweek, but that was nice. It made the area feel alive and me less alone.
City parks were fascinating. If I looked in one direction, it was green and beautiful. Turn my head, and the view shifted to storefronts, bus stops, and apartment buildings. I think that’s what I liked best about living in the city, the way turning a corner was enough to change the entire vibe. That, and having almost everything you needed only a bus stop or two away.
No longer able to wait to pester my friends with my good news, I took off my jacket, sat on a park bench, and grabbed my phone from my bag. I pulled up my group chat with Ridge and Hal.
I know you guys are working, but guess what?
I waited for them to at least read it before I continued.
Hal worked in an office near my place, although there was talk of him being transferred to a new department in a new building across town soon. He had a pretty good gig. The hours were good and, despite having a cubicle instead of an office, he was isolated enough to have some privacy. His bosses didn’t care what he did all day as long as the work got done, perfect for when I needed to chat him up.
Ridge? I wasn’t sure what he was up to today. Despite being a trust-fund guy, he was king of the odd jobs. I asked him oncewhy he worked so hard instead of using his money, and he shut down after saying he’d never touch a cent.
Lately he’d been doing some pet sitting, grocery delivery, errand running, laundry, and voice-over work. You named it, he’d tried it over the years. At first, I felt bad he worked so hard, but I’d come to the conclusion he was exactly where he wanted to be. At least for now.
We all met at a little event at a local club, Chained. It was an arts and crafts day featuring spring flowers. I left covered in paint, glue, glitter, and stickers. I also left with two new friends.
None of us were members who regularly went there to play. We only went on the days that were available to nonmembers and had small entrance fees. I had nothing against membership, but it was expensive and not in my current budget. Joining was on my list of what I’d do when I won the lottery.
Ridge replied first.Chicken butt.
Close, but no. I think I got the job!I stank at patience, and waiting for them to guess wasn’t going to happen. Especially not if the opening answer was chicken butt.
You think?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?Hal was the king of over punctuation and emojis.
The interview went well. Why don’t we get drinks this weekend?
They all agreed, Hal including every single emoji he could find, and I put my phone back in my bag, expecting to touch Pup-Pup as I slid my phone into its pocket. Except I didn’t feel his soft fabric at all. I pulled the bag open. He wasn’t there.
Pup-Pup was gone.
I dumped the bag, knocking my coffee over in the process. He had to be here. He had to be! But he wasn’t.
I looked under the bench and poured out the bag again, hoping that in my haste, I’d missed him. I hadn’t. He was gone gone.
“Hey.”
I looked up to see a man holding Pup-Pup. Not just any man. The doctor who gave him to me all those years ago.
“Zoe took this,” he said. “And I’m guessing from the way you’re looking around…”
Chapter Four
