“That’s not what Dad does,” said Riley, as they drove into the parking area.
“What do you mean?”Sarah placed the car in park, turned off the engine, and turned to Riley.
“Well, Dad left and married Tanis, and now he’s having a new family.So he isn’t thinking about me.Just about his new family.”
“He still loves you.That will never change.And you still see him when you go to Vancouver.And you have me.And Grandma.”
“I know.But I miss Dad.He’s more like me.”
“Is he?”Sarah’s chest tightened.
“He’s the one always running around and doing things.Having fun.All you do is work.I need someone like Dad to run around with.Like Dash.”
“I see,” said Sarah, tears threatening to fill her eyes.“I suppose you miss running around with your dad.I’m sure when you visit him this summer, you’ll have lots of activities you can do together.”
“I know.But I only see him a few times a year now.It’s not the same as it used to be.So I need someone who likes to jump and play and run like I do.So I thought maybe Dash…”
“I could put you into more lessons.You could join a team.”
“You don’t understand,” said Riley.“I want someone to talk to who understands, and I don’t think Dot will understand.Dash is a doer.He will.”
“Ah, I see.Well, why don’t we go in, and we can all make the decision together.”
“Okay.”Riley climbed out of the car, looking glum, but she brightened up when they went inside.
“Are you ready to see the cats?”asked Raven, who came to greet them.“They’re in our transition room.”
“Yes, yes!”Riley and Sally chimed together, their eyes bright with anticipation.
“I’ll take them to the room, but before we go, I need you to understand the rules.”Raven squatted down to eye level with the girls and they both stood silent, waiting for her to speak.
“Dot and Dash have been in the room since we came back yesterday.They are comfortable there, but we can’t rush up and scare them.We just need to sit and be calm so they feel safe with us.Let them take the lead.”
“Okay,” said Riley.She looked up at Sarah with worry on her face.Sarah squeezed her shoulder, understanding now how important it was to Riley that Dash choose her, especially since, in her mind, her father seemed to have chosen someone else.She would have to speak to Graham and ask him to work a little harder at connecting with Riley.Though, with his new marriage, job, and baby on the way… well, she didn’t expect much change.
“So we agree on the need to be quiet and calm and let the kittens approach us?”asked Raven, looking between the two girls.“We need them to feel safe.”
They nodded again.
“Good.”Raven stood and led the way down the hall, and Sarah found herself hoping Dash would pick Riley.
As they walked down the hall behind Raven, Sarah’s phone buzzed in her purse.She fished it out without thinking and read the text message from Graham.
Riley said the kittens you are getting are shared with Sally and her dad.Just checking I’ve got the right picture.Don’t want Riley to be confused.
Sarah glared at the screen.The right picture?Don’t want Riley to be confused?How dare he reproach her for adopting a cat?
She dropped the phone back into her purse and tried to ignore it.Today she would not return his text until she was good and ready.Not now.Not here.
They went into a room that was set up with soft chairs, toys, and scratching posts.Sarah made a mental note to buy one of those posts sooner than later to keep her furniture safe.
“Let’s sit down and allow them to approach you,” said Raven.
Riley and Sally sat on the floor a little way from where the kittens were playing.Now the two gray fuzzballs were sitting close to a cat cave, their bright blue eyes alert with interest.
Sarah sank into an armchair behind Riley, and Simon sat a few feet away.
He was watching her again, just as he had at the store.Not in a way that was creepy or uncomfortable.But she was aware of his gaze nevertheless.
