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As I trot over to my spot to wait for Sang, I decided I was grateful I went to Uncle's diner yesterday. I got to spend the afternoon with him and I'm going home with him tonight so Derick could have a break.
The smothered beef patty, mashed potatoes, and carrots he gave me were so much better than that hard, dry, dog food Derick feeds me. Just thinking about it has me licking my chops and is making me drool.
Finding my special spot I stretched out and made myself as comfortable as possible on the leaves. I hope Sang likes the gift I brought her today, though it hurts my heart to know she needs this. I can imagine how hard it is to be locked in a room and unable to get out. I know how I feel when I am at home and they are gone for the day, but at least I can roam around the house if I get bored in one room.
Sometimes I am hungry and when I have to go, I can barely hold it until they come home. I am glad I thought of a gift yesterday as this one was just sitting around collecting dust. I know, since a cloud of dust came up when I nudged it with my nose onto the floor. That dust had me sneezing for a full minute. Kota really needs to clean his storage space. I am grateful my tail wiped up the dust. I perked up when I heard leaves crunching as steps approached me. I turn my head and saw Sang come into view.
"Max! I am glad you are here," Sang called happily, as she approached.
I replied with a happy bark as I stand, shake, and trot up to her side wagging my tail in a friendly manner.
"How are you, and what do you have in your mouth?" she questioned as she sat down in front of me.
I dropped the light blue pouch in her hands. Sang unzipped it and dumped the contents inside on the ground between us. The small booklet and card fell out.
"A credit card? What in the world, Max? Why are you giving me a credit card?" she questioned, as she tilted her head. She picked it an held it up to the sun and then gasped. She slid her had across the top of the booklet and it opened revealing the surprise.
"MAX! she whisper-shouted before looking around as if she was expecting someone to jump out at her. "Max, It's a lock picking set. Where are you getting these things? I don't know where you are getting this stuff, but you need to take it back. I don't want the person who owns this coming after me. What are they, a spy? I mean whoever owns things like this. It's out of a book."
She hurriedly placed it all back in the pouch and extended her hand out to me holding the pouch. I gave her the best blank look I can muster. I am not taking it back because she needs it. I know Luke is not using it, and besides he has plenty of kits. He has them stashed everywhere.
"Oh, it comes with a pocket size Picking Locks for Beginners pamphlet. Max, you are going to have to stop taking things from your owner."
I continue to give her my blank face and look at her as if I don't understand. She sighs heavily and quietly thanks me. "I just hope your owner never finds out, or rather finds out about me," Sang muttered, before shoving it inside her shirt. "My first and only friend belongs to a spy." Turning to me, she says "Is your owner part of a secret organization or something?"
Wondering why again humans ask me questions when I cannot answer them she rubbed my head and stepped back from me, before grunting and wincing as she bent over to pick up her bag. She looked a little pale and was sweating. She smiled tightly and said she brought us snacks, then mentioned she heard her sister talking about a park her and a friend visit close by and wanted to see it, but she is afraid of being seen by her sister, or some guy may try to hurt her. I bark while backing up as I wag my tail really hard. It will be nice to show her the park the guys and I go to. So long as I am with her, she will be aright. Kota made sure I can take down anyone and no one will mess with my new friend. I looked up her, barked and stepped back. She looked at me with a curious expression on her face. I guess I need to train her like I did Kota and Jessica to get her to follow me. I barked again, turned and took a couple of steps forward then turned my head to look back to see if she was following me.
"Oh, you want me to follow you. I don't know, we could get lost and I have to be back soon." I whine and she murmured "oh no, don't whine, Max." Sang sighed. "Fine Max. I will follow you if you promise to bring me back. I don't want to get lost and be gone long. I have to be back before my parents return from taking my mom to the doctor today."
I bark with a reply and prance back and forth in a way I hope says 'come on, let's go.' Sang smiled and adjusted her bag. I noticed she did not put it on her back, but her shoulder. As she approached, I sniff her and yes, she still smelled the same, but there is hint of pain that comes from her. Making a note not to trot too far or fast, I turn and set the pace towards our new destination.
As we stepped through the trees and into the park, I turn to see her reaction and she smiles at its beauty. I scan the park for threats as trained. I see two girls swinging on the swings giggling as they are being pushed by their fathers, 6 boys laughing, teasing each other as they chase each other playing tag. That reminds me of Kota and the guys. I looked to the left and eye two young women sitting with cups in their hands talking while watching the older boys playing basketball. I bark and trot over to the table closest to us. I notice she looked a little nervous to come out into the open. I bark again and she blinked and looked at me, before looking back down and slowly following me over to the picnic bench.
Sang sat on the bench and opened her bag to give me the sandwich she brought me. As I lay down by her side, she pulled out a container and her stomach growled. It reminded me of Silas when he gets hungry. Looking at her, I wonder if she had dinner, or even breakfast this morning as she took a big whiff from the container and then placed it on the table.
After she ate I sat by her leg and leaned against it. As she rubbed my head I listened to her talking to me. "Max, I don't have any friends and I don't talk to people. I just stay in the shadows and try to vanish into the background. I don't trust anyone, and normally keep things inside or deal with things on my own. Heck. I have been on my own so long. I don't know what it is about you, but I am glad you came into my life. I feel like I am not alone anymore. I can finally talk to someone and you will still come and meet me at the tree. You're not even my dog, but I feel like you are my friend."
I turned and looked at her. Sang does not notice as she kept rubbing my head and down my back while she looked over the park. She told me about her evening, and how she spent the night cleaning the kitchen after her sister and mom trashed it, and her sister left dirty dishes everywhere. Then she woke up to her sister going through her closet and taking clothes from her.
I turned to her and cocked my head and she just shrugged. Sang said she only has 2 pair of jeans, 3, well now 2 T-shirts, a sweater and a thin jacket. She told me how, after she made breakfast for her mother and sister, her mother punished her because her breakfast was not to her liking. I can't help but wonder what that punishment was and if that is why she looks like she is in pain. As she looks over the girls talking on the bench, she tensed and inhaled sharply. Instantly on alert, I stood and looked around. She jumped up. "Max, I must leave now, before she sees me and tells mother. Sang grabbed her bag, tossed her trash and started walking quickly towards to path we came in. I notice Danelle and the same girl I saw slipping out the house the other day walking towards the park. Wondering why she must leave, I turn to follow and Sang had vanished. Sniffing the air, I followed her scent, catching up to her just on the other side of the tree line. We walked back in silence and I knew she was scared.
As we approached her house, Sang bent down an whispered to me. "Thanks again for a lovely afternoon, Max. I really liked the park and I'm sorry we had to leave early. I hope I see you tomorrow." Sang rubbed my head and then kissed the top of it. She then walked away and back to her house. As I walk back to the diner, I can't help but wonder why she would be scared of the same girl who lived in her house?
