“I had no idea this was as big of a setup as it is.It’s impressive,” Brett started it mild.
“Got good employees, good volunteers, and good professionals who give their time, experience and education to offer these animals a chance,” Hutch fell into his game.
“Must cost a pack to keep this place going,” Brett said.
“We get grants.They help.But that’s a never-ending fight.”
“Especially on top of the rescue.”
“Yeah, especially.”
“Probably won’t have to work too hard to get Abigail to agree to our yearly membership,” Brett said.
“Always appreciated,” Hutch muttered.
Bret left it a beat.Two.
And then…
“Mabel hasn’t been around long…”
Here it was.
“…but my wife gets something into her head, it never leaves.And she’s determined to make Mabel an honorary member of the family.”
“It’s good to have people wherever you are,” Hutch replied.
“Man, I think you’re getting me,” Brett said low.
Hutch looked to him.
Brett kept walking even as he held up his hands in a “don’t shoot” gesture.
“I was given a job.I didn’t want that job.But there’s shit in a marriage you don’t fight, and this is that shit.Those women talk.”
In other words, Abigail was aware of his and Mabel’s friends-with-benefits deal, and she wasn’t at one with it.
Because she wasn’t in it.
Therefore, she saw it as it was, without personal history and sexual chemistry and emotion wound up in it.
Onward from that, she knew Mabel was deeper than she’d let on, maybe even to herself.
And she wanted to know if Hutch was in that deep.
Hutch matched his tone when he replied, “I’d gnaw off my own arm before I’d hurt her.”
“Yeah.I told her you were that man.She said, ‘Twenty consecutive swooshes does not make a guy a decent guy.’”
“She’s right.”
Brett eyed him.“So am I.”
“Thanks, man,” Hutch murmured.“And just to say, I’m glad Mabel has someone to look out for her.”
“So I guess you can guess that my next topic is those religious folk who live next to Mabel.”
Hutch stopped, so Brett did too.
