I took the elevator up, and Thor’s excited whines greeted me before I even reached my door.
“Hi, baby!”
Thor spun in circles at my feet as I kicked off my shoes and hung my keys, and the second my bags hit the floor, he ran ahead to the living room and leaped onto the couch to wait impatiently for his proper greeting. Not that he needed the couch to reach me, he just liked that it got him closer. He was a big, sweet mutt with the coloring of a German shepherd, the build and short coat of a Rhodesian ridgeback, and the personality of a golden retriever, even though he was probably none of those. Sitting up on his haunches, his paws waving wildly in the air, he beckoned me into his embrace. Just as I came within reach, he lunged, grabbed my shoulders, and pulled me in close. Or, you know, he hugged me. Because Thor gave the best hugs. I sat and hugged him back. He pressed his face against mine, asking for his kisses too, and I happily obliged, pressing kisses to the soft sides of his muzzle and into the little divot between his eyes.
“Sorry it’s so late, baby. How was your day? Did you see anything interesting? Any squirrels in the trees?”
Thor tightened his paws around me in response.
“Hungry?”
He jumped down and ran into the kitchen.
After he wolfed down his dinner, I put his harness on. “We’re just going to the dog run tonight. It’s late,” I told him in the elevator. “We’ll go on a long walk tomorrow.” He wagged his tail in agreement. Mondays and Tuesdays were the library’s late days, so I’d have time to take him for a long walk before going in at noon. Creepy men and mysterious cars wouldn’t be so scary in the light of day.
I’d moved to this building specifically for the dog run. It was securely sandwiched between two wings of the building and was well-lit, which eased some of my worries. The added perk of a dog-friendly building that I hadn’t anticipated, but greatlyappreciated, was that people like Lucy’s owner came and went at all hours to take their dogs out.
We walked through the lobby and out the side door to the dog run where fortunately there were two other dogs. Thor was happy to play, and I was happy for the company.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” I said to the older couple with the two French bulldogs. We made a little small talk before they headed in, leaving me and Thor alone.
In the sudden quietness, the shadows grew darker, and I called Thor to me. “Sorry, baby. It’s late.”
I walked into the lobby toward the elevator, disappointment flooding me. That wasn’t the reason we were headed inside so soon, and I hated it. I didn’t want to admit, even to myself, that I was still unnerved from earlier. And that pissed me off. “Fake it till you make it, right Thor?”
He wagged his tail and licked my hand.
“You’re right, let’s go.” I changed direction, and Thor sped up as he realized we were headed for the front door.
Thor stopped to sniff the first tree, and as I waited, a black SUV slowly drove past. My heart thudded in my chest. I froze, torn with indecision. One more tree. Then we’d go home. Because that’s what I wanted, not because I was scared. There were thousands of dark SUVs in San Antonio.
I hurried Thor to the next tree, then turned and jogged home. Just to give him a little exercise. No other reason.
Safely locked in my apartment a few minutes later, I gave Thor a treat and made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Thor curled up on the couch next to me, and I pulled out my phone to text Juliette and Nicky while I ate.
Me: We’re moving forward with the sensory room!!!
Nicky: Awesome!! I have so many more ideas.
Juliette: Me too!
Me: Of course you do. BTW, the cloud activity was a huge success! Thank you!
Nicky: Knew it would be! I do it every spring.
Me: OTs, a librarian’s best friend!
It was true. Having two best friends who were brilliant pediatric occupational therapists definitely helped me run one of the best children’s libraries in San Antonio.
Juliette: Of course we are!
Me: J, how’s Dylan’s last week home? You okay?
Juliette: Good, and I will be.
Me: It’s a good thing. He needs to go back.