“Did they say when they were going to release her?”
“Maybe tomorrow. The following day for sure, unless she has any setbacks.”
“Your club brought over so much stuff for Mila. It was really sweet how they all came together so quickly.”
“That’s a relief. I’ve been trying to make a list of what she might need. I always dreamed about the day she might come live with me, but I never really …”
“Thought it would happen,” I finish for him.
“Yeah,” he sighs loudly. “Well, I was just calling to see if you found the dog food.”
“About that,” I begin.
He chuckles.
“Who names a cane corso Peanut?”
“Me,” he says flatly.
“Well, a little heads up would have been nice.”
“You wouldn’t have agreed, and I know he’s well trained.”
“At eating people,” I joke.
“Only bad guys.”
Peanut rests his big head on my knee, his eyebrows teeter-tottering up and down as our conversation continues.
“I think he knows we’re talking about him.”
“I’m glad the two of you are getting along.”
“We are.” My gaze roams around his house.
“I’ve got to go. Mila is waking up. Call me if you need anything.”
“Same.”
He’s quiet for a second. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“I hope you and Mila have a good night. Bye.”
“Bye.”
This is all so weird. I hang up the phone and pull the duck out of my pocket. “What should we do now?”
I’ve always loved my quiet time, but tonight it feels strangely lonely.
“I’m really glad you’re here with me, Peanut.” He follows me into the kitchen, sitting by my feet as I make a sandwich.
The longer I’m here, I find myself growing more and more curious about Rage. There’s not much around the house that tells me anything personal about him.
After I’ve cleaned up my supper mess, I stand in the hallway. A quick peek into his room wouldn’t hurt, would it? My hand presses against the wood of his door, but I can’t bring myself to open it. He trusted me in his home. I can’t violate his personal space, even if the curiosity is killing me.
I force my feet to keep moving down the hall, stopping at his sister’s room. It’s piled high with everything she’ll need. I siton the floor, peeking in a box filled with little girl clothes. Aw, everything is so cute.
It’s a room filled with love. I didn’t get that as a kid, but I can help make sure her space here looks the best it possibly can when she arrives. If he brings her home tomorrow, it can’t look like this. She needs something a bit more functional.