I was both excited and nervous. About all of it.
Yesterday’s play had been about exploration. Today was for comfort. I grabbed Stuart the giraffe and set him on the corner of the mat. With Daddy’s help, I put on the ears and paws. Then I got down on all fours and, with my nose, pushed the ball to Daddy.
Daddy grinned, plopped down on the ground, and nudged the ball back toward me.
I woofed and returned it to him.
He tossed it and the thing sailed over my head.
I scurried after it.
And thus we played for what felt like hours, although was probably less. The rhythm of the ball hitting the wall and then me scampering after it soothed me. For at least a bit of time, I was able to escape my racing thoughts.
Until Zahir held the ball and looked at his watch. “It’s time, Solo.”
“Yeah. Okay.” I crawled over to him so he could remove my paws and ears. I found this transition time helpful. Like I was putting Solo away and inhabiting Andre again. Painful, but reality.
“Showers, we’ll run Daphne out again, and then we’ll head out. We should arrive right on time.”
“Can we be early? By, like, five minutes? Just so we won’t be late. We might encounter traffic—”
He smiled. Indulgently, if I had to guess. “Mission City doesn’t tend to have traffic jams, but I have no issues with being early. I’m often early myself.”
“Okay.”
“Why don’t you bring Stuart upstairs so you can cuddle with him later? Well, only if you want.”
I grinned. “I want. I really want.” I cuddled Stuart to my chest. “Thank you.”
He scratched my scalp. “You’re most welcome, Andre.”
We went upstairs together, and then to our separate bathrooms. I’d worked up a bit of sweat while playing, and so was happy to wash that off. Zahir had a glow about him that spoke to me. I liked watching men sweat. What I really liked was watching my Daddy smile so much. Only in unguarded moments—when he didn’t think I was looking—did I see his sadness.
After stepping out of the shower, I toweled myself dry.
No, sadness is too strong of a word. Wistfulness? Loneliness? He smiles with me. So I just have to make him enjoy life. Give him reasons to laugh.
Puppy antics could certainly do that.
I could make a concerted effort, while I was here, to make him the happiest I could. Returning his kindness was the least I could do.
On that note, I dressed quickly and headed downstairs.
Daphne greeted me with enthusiasm.
I laughed. “Oh, I’m not just a food delivery system. I know you don’t get dinner for several hours.”
She cocked her head—as if trying to figure out how much she might, or might not, be able to manipulate me.
“Nice try. Now, do you want to go out?”
She moved to the back door and sat by her leash.
I clipped her on and took her to the backyard. The area was fenced, but I didn’t want to take a chance on anything bad happening.
Within a moment, she sniffed, peed, and appeared ready to go back inside.
“You’re good.” Zahir stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, grinning. The sunlight caught his hair, and it shone black.
