A Fool's Revenge

Me And My Sins Go Toe-To-Toe.

"San Diego animal shelter?" He read out loud as we got out of the car and I just nodded excitedly like a little kid.

We walked through the doors and all we heard was barking and howling along with some giggles thrown in there. I smiled as we walked up to the desk while josh just looked at me skeptically.

"Hi! What can I help you with?" the young girl at the front desk smiled.

"Well, I was hoping to take home someone to keep me company. My boyfriend is in a band and always touring and I'm all alone." I smiled slightly. She looked at me inquisitively but smiled.

"Okay, I'm sure we have the perfect bestfriend to keep you company here! If you don't mind me asking, what's the name of your boyfriends' band? I love checking out new music." She smiled brightly like I used to when I found a new band to love.

"Pierce the Veil. They're pretty good... " I was going to say more but I saw her jaw drop and eyes bug. Josh and I just kind of smirked and chuckled at each other then looked back at her.

"I take it you've heard of them?" josh said with a laughed and she nodded.

"I love them! I didn't get to see them a couple months ago but I'm saving up to see them when they come around again!" She sighed.

"Well, I'll tell you what. If you help me find an adorable furry friend I'll hook you up to meet them when they come around. I'm sure I can talk Mike into getting you on the guest list. If anything I'll take you myself." I chuckled thinking about how stubborn Mike is about the guest list.

"Oh my god! You would really do that for me?" She looked like she was about to burst into tears. So I just nodded.

"Wow, thank you so much! Now, uh, are you looking for a specific animal? Cat, dog?" She said with a still baffled look on her face.

"I was kind of hoping for both. I love both dogs and cats. More of a cat person though." I chuckled as we walked through the back door.

"I am too. Cats are just so cuddly."

"Do you have any kittens and puppies? My aunt always said that if you bring them up together then they are bestfriends for life." I smiled. She nodded and made a sharp turn to where we heard a bunch of little yaps.

"These are some puppies that were born about a month ago. They're pitbull's I believe." I smiled brightly as we walked into the room full of rambunctious pups. I looked around and found one that was lying in the far corner all by himself.

"Can I?" I asked as I pointed to the pup.

"Of course!" I stepped over the pen they had and picked him, or her, up.

"That's Layla. She's the runt of the litter." The girl smiled down at the pup in my arms. I instantly fell in love. She was beyond perfect.

"I think I'm in love." I said quietly and the girl nodded.

"She's so perfect. You have another week till you can bring her home, is that okay?" she asked as she searched the little cages for her clipboard.

"Oh yeah. That's fine." I said in a baby voice down to the pretty little girl. I put her down and she scampered away to her little corner.

"You wanted to look at the kittens we had too, right?" she asked politely and I nodded. She lead us out of the puppy room and into another that was much quitter.

"I think they're all asleep right now but these guys are old enough to take home today if you're ready." She whispered as she opened the door. As she assumed, the tiny little fur balls were passed out and I chuckled at one who was lying on his back with his paws in the air.

"Who's the runt of this litter? I asked quietly and she looked around before picking up two tiny ones.

"These are two litters so this one, Mittens, is the runt of the black and white ones. This one, Roxy, is the runt of the brindle batch." I looked between the two and I gravitated more towards Mittens because Layla was brindle and something told me that he was perfect to take home.

"I think I'll take the little man." I smiled and she handed him over to me in which he responded by nuzzling into my neck. I just melted and I think stone cold Josh did too.

"Great! He's a real lover. I promise you he won't leave your side no matter what." She chuckled. She grabbed his paper work and walked us back out to the front desk with a small box to put him in.

"Okay, I just need your signature here and here and the payment then he's all yours." She said with a smile then stumbled around and placed another clipboard next to Mittens'.

"I'll also need a down payment for Layla so we can hold her for you." She smiled brightly.
I gladly signed and paid for both animals. I glanced over at Josh who was hold Mittens and super quietly talking to the little one. I chuckled and handed the clipboards back to the girl.

"Hey, I never got your name." I said as she turned around.

"It's Alycia. Everyone just calls me Lyci though." she smiled brightly.

"Well, Lyci, Just give your email or number and I'll let you know when PTV are coming around again and I'll get you on the list like I said." The expression on her face made my day, just as she did for me. I got two new friends and she got a free pass to a concert. Win-win.

She put her name and number in my phone and handed me the papers for both of my animals all with the biggest smile on her face.

"Alright, well thank you for helping me find two amazing new friends. I'm sure my friend Josh is gonna have a ball with Mittens." I chuckled and she looked at him, squinting her eyes.

"I know you. I just don't know where from." She said to Josh and I chuckled.

"Motionless in White." He smiled. "I know, I look way different without the makeup and contacts." He chuckled and she nodded her head.

"You guys are pretty good. I've heard you on Pandora before." She smiled lightly.

"Thanks. Maybe this chick will bring you with her when we come around." He smiled and nudged me and I just nodded.

"If you want to, of course." I chuckled and she nodded furiously.

"Good, I always need a good concert buddy." I smiled.

"Anytime, really." She said in disbelief.

"Well, we have to go spoil this guy right here. I'll talk to you later, Lyci. See you next week!" I smiled and looked down at Mittens.

"Alright. Have a good day guys!" she waved as we walked out the door and to my car.
We stayed quiet all through picking up stuff for Mittens at the pet store and grabbing a quick bite to eat until we got home.

"So, is this really gonna help you out while he's gone?" he asked quietly without looking at me. I opened the door, kicked off my shoes and sat on the couch while Mittens ran around exploring.

"I think so. I hope so." I mumbled and watched the two months old kitten walk around and sniff everything.

"I'm only staying for a little while but I just want to know that these two animals are going to help you not do what you did again." I smiled a little at how caring he was being because I didn't get to see that side that often. Maybe this new girl he met softened him up a bit.

"I'm hoping having them around will help me not resort to that too but I mean I can't make promises. I'd like to believe that this is what I need to help me but sometimes that's just not the case. I'm going to try hard if not harder than I did the last time not to cut myself for the duration of Mike being gone." I stopped myself from rambling too much and he just sighed.

"I think I'm just gonna go to bed. I'll see you in the morning, Jay." He said sadly and walked upstairs.
I stayed downstairs setting up Mittens things like his food and water bowl and litter box. I let him eat and go to the bathroom before I took him upstairs with me.




I lay in bed just thinking about everything. Just pondering how much, if any, worse I could get without Mike here. I figured animals would keep me occupied for the remaining three months and I fell like its working but at the same time I'm a little cautious about it. I'm cautious about myself. I was scared of what Mike would say when I told him what happened, if he would ever call. Just as I thought about it, my phone rang and my heart skipped a beat when I saw his name.

I hesitated picking it up but I did before he hung up.

"Hey babe! Sorry I haven't called or texted, it's been crazy here. I'll tell you about it tomorrow though. I know it's a little late. I just wanted to check in before we started warming up. How are you?"

"It's okay, I figured you were busy. I actually have something to tell you and I don't know how you'll take it. Well, actually I do but..."

"What is it, Jay?"





"I cut myself a couple weeks ago..."