“Mmm. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Sorry.”
“You obviously needed it. Will you be able to sleep tonight?”
“Yeah. I can sleep anytime and anywhere. After we walk Daphne, I’ll fall right asleep, especially—” He cut off.
“Especially…?
He sat up and rubbed his face. “I didn’t mean to say anything. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“By what?” With his distress evident, I caressed his cheek. “Safe space, okay?”
Slowly, he nodded.
“Just say it. I don’t know whether to call you Andre or Solo right now.”
“Both?” He scratched his nose. “I mean… you pick. Because I just don’t know what to do.”
“Well, let’s start with what you wanted to say. Just blurt it out, okay? I think you’ll feel better for it.”
“Okay. Well, I slept in Marty’s bed last night.” He winced. “And it was the best night’s sleep I’ve had a in a really long time.”
He could have knocked me over with a feather. I would never, not in a million years, have thought he might find Marty’s bed and sleep in it. I scratched my cheek. “Did you think I’d be angry?”
“Yes.”
I grasped his hand. “I told you to make yourself at home. I didn’t put any restrictions on your because there’s nothing you could do that would upset me. I’m happy you found Marty’s bed. If that helped you sleep then I’m thrilled. I keep thinking how much Marty would have loved you. How much he would’ve wanted to play with you and snuggle and wrap you up in a blanket. He was a pup, for certain, but he also had a caring side toward others. I was the nurturer, but he still cared in his own way. So you’re free to sleep in his bed.” I eyed Andre. “Is there something else?” I squeezed his hand. “You can ask me anything. And I’m free to sayno.”
He swallowed. “I just…feel more safe when you’re around. Does that make sense?”
“It makes all the sense in the world. I’ve offered to be your safe space and I’m glad you see me that way. So, what do you need from me?”I think I know and I’m terrified, but I’ll do my best.
“If—” He swallowed. “If you could sleep near me? I mean, I know what I’m asking is—”
“Perfectly reasonable.” I tried to work the logistics in my mind. In truth, only one room upstairs had space for both a human bed and the dog bed.Time to face the music.“We’ll pull out your dog bed tonight and you can sleep in it and I’ll sleep in my old bed. I suspect Daphne will keep me company.”
“But—”
I pressed a finger to his lips. “But nothing. You’ve made a simple request, and it’s something I’m able to do, so it’ll be done. Now, Daphne really needs to go out, and we can do that for her. Then we’ll settle for the night and all will be well.”Because it has to be—for both our sakes.
Andre leashed Daphne and we headed out into the beautiful evening air. The sun was setting to the west, so we headed east along Fourth Avenue. We headed up the hill toward Fifth and then on to Sixth.
“I went to Heritage Park this morning. Do you mind if I go that way tomorrow? Maybe with Daphne? I won’t run, obviously.” Andre met my gaze.
“Of course you can take Daphne. Just remember the poop bags. And take more than one. “
Then, as if sensing the moment, Daphne squatted.
Andre laughed. A deep, resonant sound. “She’s smart that way, right?”
“She wants to make certain you know how to scoop her poop.” I laughed. “These are the essential things in life.”
“She’s such a lovely dog.” Andre prepared the bag. “And you’re such a lovely man,”
My cheeks headed a little. Nothing Andre would be able to see, I hoped, under my tanned skin. “Thank you. Compliments are appreciated—but not necessary.”
“I know.” He scooped the poop and tied off the bag. “But it’s nice to have pleasant things said about you, right? When they’re sincere. I’m not about false flattery. I’m not about lying—”
“I would never ask that of you.”
