. . .
Cutler
I wokeup with a sick feeling in my stomach. It was Gracie’s last day here. I hated the thought of not waking up with her after tomorrow.
I glanced over to the side of the bed, where loud snoring had woken me up multiple times during the night, to see Meatball in his crate, sound asleep on his back.
This dog was a character, no doubt about it.
Maybe she was right, and having him here would be a good distraction.
I’d offered to fly with her to New York, but she’d shipped her personal items there already, and she was only bringing clothing, as the apartment was fully furnished. She’d come back and get the rest of her stuff once she found something permanent, in a couple of months.
She’d told me it would be more difficult for her if I came with her.
I wasn’t sure why, but I’d nodded and agreed.
A loud snort came from the crate, and Gracie chuckled from where she slept beside me. Her eyes were still closed, and she’d rolled on her side to face me, but she was obviously awake now.
“He’s quite the vocal guy,” she said, her voice sounding sleepy.
“He sure is. I think he was wiped out from his two-second swim where he literally exerted no energy and just threw in the towel,” I said, and she laughed some more as her eyes slowly opened.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I said. “How’d you sleep?”
“I slept great. Your bed is so cozy.” She intertwined her fingers with mine.
And we both just lay there quietly.
Everything had already been said.
We stayed there, listening to the sound of Meatball snoring, and she scooted closer so I could wrap my arms around her as I breathed in the smell of strawberry and coconut.
A loud howl came from the crate, and we both laughed as we moved to our feet. I pulled on some pants and took him out back while Gracie got dressed.
We decided to walk Meatball downtown, as Gracie wanted to stop by Blue Sky Bay-kery for some croissants and walk along the water.
“The reason I didn’t want you to come with me to New York for the move isn’t because I don’t want you there with me,” she said, peeking up at me as the breeze moved around us.
“I know you want to go do this on your own. I get it.” It had been a bit of a punch to the gut when she’d initially told me—but I understood her need to do this at the same time.
“That’s not it.” She blew out a breath. “It’s hard for me to leave you, Bear. And if you come with me, I won’t want you to leave. So I just think we need to rip the Band-Aid off all at once.”
“I understand. I don’t disagree.” I ran a hand through my hair, Meatball staying right beside me on his leash, walking at a snail’s pace.
“I hate goodbyes.”
“Then we won’t say goodbye because it’s not goodbye,” I said, exhaling before continuing. “Come on. I wanted to show you this piece of land that just came on the market. I’d love to get your opinion on it.”
Meatball decided to just sit down when we moved off the path along the water to take a detour through the trees. I tried to get him to move, but he was just dead weight, and Gracie’s head fell back in hysterical laughter when I picked his lazy ass up and carried him the rest of the way.
I set him down on the plot of land that had one of the best views in Blue Sky Bay.
“Wow. This is spectacular. And it’s a large piece of land.”
“I thought you’d like it.” I dropped Meatball’s leash because he was not going anywhere, and he appeared to be a happy camper to just stay right there under a tree. Gracie turned in a circle, taking it all in.
