“They’re still donkeys, Chad, and they’re in your house.”
Jack lets out a soft bray and rolls slightly onto his side like a tiny lap dog. They’re still so small, similar in size to a medium dog maybe, only so much more adorable. I’m completely obsessed with them. As soon as the lady met us at the farm this morning to drop them off, I had Wyatt help me load them into my car safely to bring them here. He kept asking me if I was sure and made it clear that I could keep them at the farm in the barn with the others if it became too much.
But I’m not worried. I literally live in a mansion—alone—and it needs a ton of work anyway, so if they scratch up the floors or something, I won’t mind. The backyard is already fenced in too, so they can just go in and out as they please as long as I leave the door open for them when I’m here now that it’s summer.
Jenny nudges my hand until I start petting her again.
“They’re bonded,” I explain. “You can’t separate them.”Just like us,I think to myself hopefully.
“I’m not suggesting you separate them,” he says on a sigh. “I’m suggesting you don’t keep livestock in your living room. What are you not understanding about that?”
“They’re not livestock! They’re companion animals. That means they need to be around people and provide emotional support. There was a lot of information that supported them living inside with me. I looked it all up.”
“They have hooves, Chad. Hooves! You can go outside to see them like a normal person before they destroy your house.”
Jack chooses that moment to stand up and shuffle sideways… and thud gently into the flimsy side table, pushing it a solid inch across the floor.
Oops.
John closes his eyes briefly as if he’s trying to let the point he made earlier sink in without saying “told you so.”
“So, that reminds me,” I say brightly with a slight chuckle as I pivot the conversation because I can feel him gearing up for a lecture about the house. “When am I going to meet these mystery brothers of yours? Are they coming to do the work on my house? I forgot to ask you yesterday.”
“You’re changing the subject,” John grunts.
“I am,” I agree with a smile, completely aware of what I’m doing. “But I still want to know.”
He exhales, but some of the anxious edge he had drains out of him. “Yes, they are. I gave them all the info they need already. They’re working on the quote for you.”
“Oh, great! How soon can they start?”
“They’re just finishing up another project, so as long as you approve the quote, they can start next Monday.”
“Obviously, I’ll approve it,” I reply immediately. “I can’t wait to meet your family!”
“It’s not a big deal,” he mutters. “You’re hiring them to do work. That’s it.”
“Itisa big deal,” I insist. “It would be a really big deal if you met my parents. I know you probably won’t want to, so I’ll have to warn you when they visit. They can’t wait to come up as soon as my dad’s knee can handle the drive.”
“I still can’t believe you told them you moved here to date a man,” he mumbles.
“Of course I did,” I say earnestly. “You’re nothing to hide, John. I know we aren’t dating, but we are sleeping together. I’d brag about that if you’d let me.”
He stares at me and inhales a deep breath. “Well, what’d you call me over here for anyway? What was this emergency?”
“Now who’s deflecting?” I call him out smugly, but decide not to press him further. “I didn’t say it was anemergency, I said it wasimportant, and it was that you had to meet Jack and Jenny. Aren’t they the best? They’re so precious.” I have full faith the three of us will fully win John over in no time.
“You named your donkey Jack? Like Jackass?”
Oh. I guess so. “Well, I didn’t actually name them, but I think it’s adorable.”
“I just… They aren’t house pets, Chad,” he repeats. “We really should set them up properly outside, or you know, bring them back to the farm?”
“No!” I shout. “Wyatt already told me they can live there, but I want them here with me. They’re my emotional support pet—oh my God! Look! Look! John, look!” My heart is going to explode in my chest as I watch Jenny snuggle up on a dog bed in the living room. “I could cry right now. Hang on, baby, let Daddy get a photo. I’m so proud of you for using your bed.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” John murmurs as I snap photos of her as fast as my finger can press the camera button on my phone.
“Wait, John, get a photo of me with her on the bed.” I hand John my phone, and he huffs, but I ignore it as I speed walk over to Jenny and kneel beside her, wrapping my arm around her as John takes the photo. She nuzzles into me, and there’s just no way she’ll sleep outside. No way.
