There’s nothing like sitting on the white rug in the middle of the living room and yet, I’m hiding underneath the couch. There’s barely any space for me down here. My humans usually get mad when I hide here because sometimes I get stuck. Today, they don’t notice me. How could they when they’re screaming and throwing things at each other?
I wish they were throwing tennis balls. The shattering sound of glass makes it clear that they’re not. There is broken glass all over the floor and two pairs of legs. I know which ones belong to each of my humans. Sarah’s legs are thin and wrapped in ripped jeans. Tim’s are longer, hairier and lack pants. At least he’s wearing white long socks.
“You fucking asshole!” Sarah throws another glass at the wall behind Tim. The glass crashes with a loud noise that makes me cower further under the couch. A small shard lands in front of the couch. I sniff it. The scent of dishwashing soap and the faint smell of alcohol fills my nostrils.
“Babe, listen to me. It’s not what it looked like.” Tim’s trying to stay calm. I can tell because he’s using the same soothing voice that he uses whenever he tries to give me a bath. I hate baths. They’re too cold. Don’t humans know that dogs enjoy warm water too?
“Really? It looked like you two were getting awfully comfortable!”
I flinch, again.
“You’re being dramatic. She’s just a friend.” Tim seems frustrated. The air is heavy. I’m trembling.
“Some friend! You’re telling me you’ve never slept with her?” Sarah demands. I peak my head out. I can see her resting her hands on her hips. Why would Tim sleep in another bed with another human?
“What?” Tim is startled by the accusation. “I never cheated on you.” He crosses his arms.
“That’s not the question. Have you or have you not slept with her?” she insists.
He stares for a moment before saying “Yes, but that was before you and I started going out. I haven’t cheated!”
Sarah moves. Broken glass cracks underneath her boots. She pushes his chest. “Then why the hell did you act like you got caught when I walked in?”
Tim grabs her arms to stop her.
“Babe, look at me.” He tries pushing her against the wall. I’m ready to rush out and start barking at them. I hold back.
“No, I don’t want to hear it. I want you to get the hell out of here!” Sarah shoves him off. She points her finger at the door.
Tim doesn’t move or say anything. He looks at her. I think he’s in shock.
Sarah strides to the door. She pulls it open and points her finger outside.
“Get out!”
I suppress the need to obey the command.
Tim saunters to the door. He’s standing right outside. He looks down at his legs and realizes he’s not wearing anything but boxers and socks. Sarah slams the door in his face and locks it before he can say anything.
“Sarah, let me in. I need my clothes!”
“Go fuck yourself, Tim. Or better, go fuck her!”
“Sarah, let me in. This isn’t funny!” He knocks on the door repeatedly.
“I don’t think it’s funny either,” Sarah whispers. I can hear it. I always can.
Sarah goes into the kitchen and grabs a broom. She can’t see a mess for too long. She gets so upset when I pee in the house. I just can’t hold it in sometimes. It’s not my fault.
Sarah finishes cleaning up the mess. Tim pounds on the door.
“Sarah, let me in. This is my apartment. The lease is in my name. If you don’t let me, in I’m calling the cops.”
Whatever that means, it makes her halt.
“What?”
“You heard me. It’s my house. Let me in.”
“You’re lying. We signed those papers together.” Sarah walks to the door, shaking.
“That’s what I wanted you to think. It’s mine. You can check. I’m not lying.” His voice is calm now. I’m not sure what’s going on. What is a lease? What papers?
Sarah runs to the bedroom. I scurry out of my safe spot and run after her. She’s opening drawers, randomly pulling out folders and papers.
After some rummaging, she finally settles down on the bed. She is holding some papers. She flips through the pages and her eyes water as she does. She lays the papers down next to her on the bed. There are tears rolling down her cheeks. Her stare is blank.
My head twists in confusion. I’m not sure what’s going on. I can tell she’s sad and I need to make her feel better. I’m in front of her within seconds. I stand on my hind legs and rest my front paws on her knees. I wag my tail because I know she loves it when I do that and nudge her hand with my nose. She notices me and gives me a small smile. She pets my head. I’m happy. I think I’ve helped.
“I need to get out of here.” She holds my head in her hands. I lick one of her hands and she withdraws both of them. She lets out a long sigh. I don’t know how to make her feel better.
Sarah grabs her phone and dials a number. She stares at it for a little while. I can see her hesitating. She puts the phone to her ear, tapping her foot. Who did she call?
“Hey, it’s me.” Her eyes water again.
The person on the other side is responding but my hearing isn’t good enough to hear what they say.
“I’m okay, I just…” Sarah’s voice breaks. A few tears spill out from her eyes.
I jump up on the bed and lie down next to her, hoping this will provide her with some comfort.
“You were right, mom,” she sobs into the phone. She called her mom. I don’t know her mom. I’m sure she’s very nice – like Sarah.
“No, he hasn’t… He’s a liar. He’s not who I thought he was.” The tears keep falling. I nudge her with my nose but she ignores me.
“Can I come home? I’ll bring Bowie. He’s a Corgi. He won’t take up any space.” I jump at the sound of my name. Am I going too?
“Thanks. I’ll be there later. I just need to pack.” Sarah puts the phone down and gets up.
I watch intently from the bed while she pulls out a black bag from the closet. Clothes are deliberately thrown into it. She throws in shoes, even the ones I’ve chewed up. After it’s full she forcefully zips it closed.
She drags it across the room and heads out to the living room. I sprint after her. She places the bag next to the door. I see her take my leash off the hanger. I run to her, wagging my tail. At the moment, all I care about is my leash and going out. She hooks the leash to my collar and a few excited whines escape me.
“Sarah!” Tim calls again. “I’m calling the cops!”
Sarah drags out an exasperated ‘ugh’ and walks to the door. I follow her so that the leash is not strained. She opens the door. Tim is standing right outside with his arms crossed. His eyes widen when he sees the bag.
“What are you doing?” he asks her.
“What does it look like?” She pushes past him. I follow.
“You’re taking Bowie?” Tim looks hurt.
“He’s mine,” Sarah says, not looking back. I follow her to the elevator. There’s this confidence in her now. A final decision made. The elevator doors slide shut and I lose sight of Tim.
–
A few hours later, we’re in a different room. The walls are painted a pale pink colour and the tiled floor is too cold.
At least there’s a rug in front of the bed where Sarah is lying down. Her mom’s sitting on the bed and giving Sarah a back rub. I think this is how she comforts her. I want a back rub too. Wait. Make that a tummy rub. I love those so much.
“I hate to tell you I told you so, but I did, honey.” Sarah’s mom says in a soothing voice. Her voice is always calm.
“I know, Mom. I just didn’t want to believe it. I thought he’d changed. He said he did.” Sarah’s voice is muffled as she whines into a pillow.
“Well, sometimes you can’t believe something just because you wish it was true.”
Sarah turns her head to the side and looks at me. Her eyes are swollen from crying. The rest of her face is flushed.
“Yeah. I should’ve listened to you. I would’ve saved myself so much time.”
I’m just glad Sarah’s not crying anymore.
“Will you be okay?” Sarah’s mom asks.
Sarah groans and turns her face into the pillow. She nods.
Here’s a picture of Bowie ☺
Val Writes 