Page 70 of Mommy

It looks adorable, because her belly keeps getting in the way, slowing her down. I’m not sure if Derek thinks the same, or if he’s still just too baffled, but he doesn’t tell her off.

“Is this… normal?” he finally asks.

I nod, and rip my gaze away from Posie.

“Yes. And it’s actually the highest praise she could’ve given us.”

“Why?”

“Only happy dogs get the zoomies. And we only rescued her a few days ago. I wouldn’t have expected this from her. She must be very happy here. She must feel very safe with you.”

My heart is so full right now, I know I will cry.

The tears are already lining up behind my lids, pressing against my lashes and demanding to flow freely. They are not tears of sadness though, these are tears of joy.

And they are not only for Posie. She’s not the only one feeling happy here. She is not the only one who feels safe with Derek.

These tears are for me too, because here in this house, I don’t feel out of place. I don’t feel like a visitor in someone else’s home, I feel like I belong.

It’s not real.

I push the thought away, all the way into the back of my brain.

I know that this feeling has an expiration date, but it’s not today and I refuse to let it darken the joy I’m feeling right now.

Derek stays put for another moment, before he shakes his head in disbelief and takes off in the direction of the kitchen.

I don’t miss the faint smile on his lips as he finishes up Posies breakfast though.

Letting my gaze wander through the living room, I let the first tear slip quietly.

I wish I could stop time.

If I could, I’d stay in this moment forever. I’d make myself at home in the happy taps of Posies claws on the floor, and lie down to sleep in the generous comfort of this moment.

Chapter thirty seven

Derek

It’s Saturday and my day off, but Ivy is still at work at the shelter, so I’m alone with Posie. I’ve taken her for a walk through the neighborhood, glaring at everyone who dared cross the street to avoid us.

I’ve lived here for years, in this house, on this street, in this community. I know which people are afraid of dogs and which only make an effort to cross the street because she’s a Pitbull.

And I’ll have to say: having it happen more than once is really getting on my last nerve. They can all fuck right off with their golden retrievers. It especially annoys me, because I can feel the slight pull in Posie’s leash when she spots another dog. I can see the tiniest bit of tail wagging before they all hobble out of our way as if she’s the big bad wolf.

Idiots.

I used to make fun of Ezekiel for taking it personal when people didn’t like Zero, but I get it now. It’s really… irritating.

I’m just putting Posie’s dinner bowl on the ground for her, when something clicks in my brain.

Grabbing my phone, I’m just about to open the text thread I’ve got going with Ez, when another notification flashes up on my phone.

Checking the screen with half a thought, I want to go back to typing when I realize that the message is from the dashcam. I installed it in Ivy’s car, or rather, my car that Ivy currently uses. My attention narrows on what I’m seeing.

The car is at a standstill, the driver window rolled down halfway, allowing me a glimpse of my little poison behind the steering wheel.

What the fuck is she doing?