I took it as a sign from the universe that we needed each other. Both being abandoned at some point in our lives.
When I saw him, there was no one around, so I decided to park further down the road to avoid scaring him off. When I stepped out of the car, he didn’t move. He just looked up at me from inside the box with nothing more than a few toys and a leash.
The wooden porch creaks under my shoes when I lock the door and quickly turn to go down the wooden stairs, almost falling off one that’s loose. I glare at it quickly while muttering a curse word under my breath and continue to walk.
Milo spins around, waiting for me to let him into the passenger seat.
“I know, I know. I’m going as fast as I can.Youdon’t need to worry about getting dressed and putting shoes on.”
Opening the passenger door, Milo leaps in, and his paws thud softly against the seat. His excited eyes track every move I make. As I circle the car, his gaze follows me, then shifts back to the door as I slip into the driver’s seat and turn the key. The engine hums to life.
Times Like Theseby The Foo Fighters starts to play, Milo barks at the music in approval. He may be just a dog, but he has incredible taste in music.
“Alright, let's put your seatbelt on.”
I lean over to strap Milo into the harness that acts like a seat belt for dogs, and he gives me a quick lick on the cheek.
“Good to go?” I pat his head and lean back in my seat.
He barks in approval before I give him another scratch on his head.
“Alright, buddy, let’s go.”
two
ELLIE
Meanwhile, 2,801 miles away in Brooklyn, New York.
“Ellie,cupcake, let’s just work this out.”
I stuff my suitcase in the backseat of my deep green Volkswagen Beetle, then take off my yellow cross-bag to throw in the car. My braid snags in the strap, and my frustration starts to reach its peak.
As if I’m not already at my limit.
The sticky morning air clings to my skin now that summer is here. Stray bits of hair from my braid glue to my neck as I push some of my chestnut-colored hair behind my ear.
I turn to Charlie—my nowex-boyfriend—planting my hands on my hips. My stance says it all–I’m done, and he knows it. At five-foot-two, I might need to tilt my head to meet his eyes, but my glare could melt ice.
“There’s nothing to work out, Charlie,” I say with an aggravated sigh.
“Look, I know what I did was fucked up, okay?” Charlie says, dragging a hand through his blond hair. “She didn’t mean anything to me.”
I look at the man I love—or thought I loved—the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. His golden hazel eyes stare into my icy blues as he pleads for me to stay.
“She didn't mean anything to you? You were talking to her formonths, Charlie. In comparison, I was breaking my back at work. You weren’t there for me. You were there for someone else,” I snap back.
Charlie wraps his hands around the back of his neck, tugging it in frustration. It’s a telltale sign that he knows he’s fucked up and is scrambling for what to say.
Before I let him say another word, I turn my back to him and shove my giant suitcase in the backseat. I didn’t pack for a quick trip. I packed everything I owned, ready to leave him and this place behind, at least for now, until I need to go back to work. I successfully get it tucked away and slam the door shut, using everything in my reach to further prove my point.
“You did this to yourself, Charlie. Not me.” I point my finger at him.
“I know, and I fucked up. I’m admitting that.” Charlie raises his voice, his eyes drifting to some of the early commuters who are on their way to work. He takes a deep breath as he attempts to gather himself and calm down.
His gaze tracks back to me, another attempt to reason with me, but I’mdone.
My chest feels heavy, almost unbearably so. I force myself to push down the lump in my throat and the emotions wanting to tumble out of me. But he will not get a single tear from me. At least not while I’m standing in front of him.
