The third time I walked by, Cheryl stopped me.
“Want to take a break and play with the puppies?” she asked, gesturing toward the hyper fluff balls circling her feet. “They are all up for adoption!”
And it really pissed me off that she didn’t include Ernest in that. “What about the ugly one?” I had asked, pointing right at his lolling tongue.
Cheryl had seemed taken aback by my assessment of Ernest, but she recovered quickly. “Oh! Yes, he’s available too. This is Sparkles, we think he’s about three years old.”
The name would have to change but, “I’ll take him,” came out of my mouth without a second thought.
Ernest came home with me that night, even though my apartment definitely did not allow pets. He cuddled up on the pillow next to me and looked at the covers expectantly until I pulled them up over his little body.
He is and always has been exactly who he wanted to be, and I really admire him for that. Like right now, he’s buried himself so far into the blankets that I can only see his tail and his back left paw. It’s really fucking cute, and I swear Ernest is the only man I’ll ever love.
I’ve finally found peace: my ugly dog cuddled next to me,Datelinestreaming on my laptop, and a cup of peppermint tea helping to sooth my sinuses and my nerves.
That’s when my phone buzzes.
Ben
Red. I need your help.
How did you get this number?
Ben
……
You’ve had the same number since high school.
At least, I’m assuming since you answered the text.
Dammit. He’s not wrong.
What do you need?
Ben
Can you bring a pregnancy test over for a friend? And maybe some mac and cheese for her kid?
What the actual fuck. A pregnancy test for a “friend”? Did this asshole get some girl pregnant and now he wantsmeto help?! I rub my chest, at the weird ache that has formed right there in the center. I decided a long time ago that I don’t want kids, but for some reason the thought of Benoit Bardot procreating with someone else has me feeling… things. I let those feelings take over as I reply.
Are you seriously asking me to help you with some girl you knocked up? This is a new low for you, Benjamin.
Ben
Dear God, Colette. You really think I would do that?
Do I really think he would do that? My anger wants to say yes, but in reality… No, probably not. Anger wins.
… Yes.
Ben
It’s for Jules.
Will you help now?
There’s going to be rumors that spread like wildfire around Sassafras, but…
