Page 56 of Mommy

Gavin waits another second, probably contemplating his choices, then he nods and takes a step away. And another. The dog next to the tree whines, a heartbreaking sound as they pull on the leash. The man takes another step. I wait for something to happen. For Derek to do something. but one more step and… I can’t see the stranger anymore.

What—

I whirl around to face Derek.

“You can’t be serious!” I hiss, barely managing to keep my voice low. Does he actually think that this little incident will prevent that man from abandoning the next dog the same way he did this one.

“Relax, Ivy.” Derek bends down to undo the dog’s leash from the tree.

“He cannot get away with that. What the actual—“ I drag a hand through my hair, my anger bubbling to the surface. I’m half tempted to go after the guy myself, maybe if I run I’ll be able to catch up and…

And what? Tell him he’s an ass?

Just when I’m about to ask Derek to lend me his gun, he presses the leash into my hand and takes out his phone.

“Hold this for me, please.”

I take the leash automatically, bending down to let the dog sniff my hand before scratching it behind the trimmed ears.

It actually is a bully, and by the looks of it, she’s either very overweight, or very pregnant.

Another mom who got abandoned as if she’s lost her worth.

“You just let an awful human being get away.” I bite out, my words clipped by disappointment. Part of my heart refuses to believe that Derek let the man go. And for what? Because he’s too lazy to do some paperwork?

So much for making things right.

Derek sighs.

“He didn’t get away.”

“You gave him a warning.” I snarl, no longer caring if my voice carries.

The asshole is long gone, who’s supposed to hear me now? Who’s supposed to care?

Derek tilts his head to the side slowly.

“I got to see his ID and now I’m getting it taken care of. What do you think would’ve happened if I had filed a complaint about animal abuse? He would have gotten an official warning, maybe he would’ve had to pay a little fee. This dog,” he points to the bully beside me. “would’ve still sat here for hours, alone and afraid. And that guy would’ve done the exact same with the next dog. He doesn’t deserve the second chance the system would have provided him with. So we’ll take care of it without the system.”

My mouth falls open as the puzzle pieces all fall into place.

“You know his address.” I whisper into the semi darkness.

“I know his name,” Derek corrects. “that’s enough.”

He turns his phone to let me see the screen.

Gavin’s name is entered into a search bar and below it there’s all kinds of information. Address, family, status, criminal record. The blinking of the screen tells me that Derek took a screenshot and after he’s turned the phone back to face him, he taps on it. Ringing follows.

He’s calling someone.

“Wassup, bro?”

A somewhat familiar male voice.

“All good, you free tonight?”

“Depends on how much you need me to be free.”