Old Orchard

Annabelle

Since the last few drinks we got while being with Oliver and Matt had no alcohol in them by the time we were ready to leave, I had no buzz, if anything at all. It did not help that after thirty minutes after getting my first complete orange juice screwdriver, a waitress dropped off two sampler appetizers stating that they were on the house, and walked away. "It's probably because these drinks have been sucking," Matt said, plucking a cheese ball off the tray. I had a feeling that Luke was behind all of it. Seeing the food, I realized how hungry I was since we did not eat yet that night. An hour or so later, I look at Carla, letting her know that it is time to go. I was expecting her to give into Oliver, whose body's actions had been screaming all night that he wanted to be kissed like the night before. Instead, she stands up and gives him a little longer hug than earlier. When I returned from the bar the first time with my drink, my sister had seemed like she was in a different place altogether. I turn to Matt to say goodnight, and he kisses me on the cheek un-expectantly.

"Let's take the beach tonight," I whisper to Carla on the way out. I want to feel the sand in my feet and listen to the ocean, which always makes me feel better, and Carla starts talking to me finally.

I get up and dress to run before meeting Rebecca at the shelter. Before I went to bed last night, I decided it was a good thing that I now know that Luke has a girlfriend, so that way it will not be uncomfortable if he shows up at the shelter or even passes me on the beach because now I know. And sometimes, it is better to know where everyone stands.

Ten minutes into my run, I pass Luke on the beach. I expect him just to nod and run on by, but he turns and starts to run with me side by side this time. Not knowing what to say to him, I just keep running, picking my pace up and trying to challenge him. We fall into the same arithmetic pace; eventually, the silence is broken when Luke's watch starts to go off. I glance over at him, slowing to a jog, and say, "Duty Calls".

"I don't have to leave yet. You missed running yesterday," he says as a statement rather than a question. And my heart speeds up, thinking he had been thinking about me, and I look at Frasier, who makes me think he is saying, "he has a girlfriend, remember?"

"Yeah, I wanted to finish painting the living room and want to get the furniture put back into place; it's driving me crazy," I say.

"I noticed the improvements the other night; they look good," he says, slowing down into a walk.

"Thanks," and I look down, seeing the time and I need to get back to get ready, so I can meet Rebecca in time. "I have to get going. I have this thing," I say, hoping he will not ask me what it is. He waves as I walk off.

Walking into the office at the shelter forty minutes later, Rebecca looks up and says, "you are early."

"What did you need me to get started on?" I asked, sipping the coffee I threw into a thermal and brought from the cottage.

"Well, if you could start on cleaning the kennels out, that would be great, I have a few errands to run, and I do not know when I will be back," she says, getting her purse and keys together. Her leaving is shocking since I have not been trained on everything. The only thing I know how to do is feed and water the dogs and clean the kennels.

"Sounds good" I head out back, putting Frasier on the grass side with all the equipment shutting the gate. "Sorry, buddy." I started cleaning the kennels trying to remember all the steps I had to follow.

I was onto my third kennel when the back door opened. The day before, we did not have anyone stopping by to see about any dogs, but I was hoping at least one person would come by to find themselves a new furry companion.

"Hey Fras, how's it going today?" without looking up, I knew it was Luke and knew that he would already be pulling out a treat to throw his way.

"You are not supposed just to give him a free treat; you are supposed to make him work for it," I say; he raises his eyebrows, and I keep talking "it is pretty much the first thing they teach you in Dog 101 classes."

He looks at me and says, "Rebecca? I thought you had errands to run this morning," and I start laughing at his joke.

"No, I am just a concerned pet owner. You are corrupting my dog; he won't even go through the tunnel because he just thinks he deserves a treat for doing nothing and sitting there looking cute and defenseless against these big dogs." I say while moving a min pin named Shirley from the kennel across the row and back into her new one.

Luke comes over, inspecting my work, and does a low whistle "For being a newbie, you sure know how to clean a kennel. You don't seem like a slacker to me," Luke says, starting on the next cage over. That was odd, so I said nothing and started on the next kennel humming from time to time to a song playing in the bar last night.