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Tana couldn't wipe the angry look off her face when her parents strolled in late in the afternoon the next day. Her mother grabbed her up in a strangling hug, crying and sniffling while she did.
"Oh, Tana, baby! We missed you so much! We've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Where have you been, girl?" her father asked when Joy finally allowed Tana to breathe.
"LA," she replied simply.
"What the hell were you doing there?"
"Having the time of my life," Tana grinned. Her father was angry. He was so angry, he hadn't bothered with the hysterics.
"We are going straight home," Joy nodded. "You can have a bath at home and— oh, honey! Your hair! What happened to your beautiful long hair?" Joy looked like she was about to start crying again. LA didn't faze her, but the short hair was just too much.
"I cut it," said Tana happily. "Don't you like it?" Joy grimaced.
"I suppose I'll have to get used to it," she sighed. Her tears were already dry. Tana rolled her eyes.
"Where's this Dallas Winston at?" said David. "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind."
"Forget it, Dad," Tana said. "They've already shipped him off to Tulsa. If you want to yell at him, it's too late."
David sighed and nodded. He must have noticed Douglas' watchful gaze because he turned to his daughter. "I guess what's important now is making sure we get you home safe."
Tana rolled her eyes and looked to Sheriff Douglas, who was watching the parents very closely.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson," he addressed. "Would you mind if I had a word with you both for a moment?" David and Joy nodded.
"Tana, you're welcome to take Sunny on a walk." Tana nodded.
Once her parents' heads were turned, she mouthed, thank you to Douglas. He sent her a small smile before she stepped out the door with Sunny. The duo made their way outside and they walked around the building a few times.
This was the first time since the beginning of summer that she felt alone.
Tana sat down on the curb and Sunny took a seat next to her. "What are we gonna do now, buddy?"
Sunny leaned his head into her shoulder, something he did to sort of comfort his human. Sunny was a very smart dog; he always seemed to know when Tana was sad or angry. He'd definitely taken notice in the absence of her good mood now that the man with the blonde hair was gone. Sunny has trusted him because his human had trusted him and he didn't understand, but something had happened to make him leave and now she was upset.
Sunny gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"You're a good boy," Tana cooed, smiling at her dog. "You're a very good boy." Sunny thumped his tail, happy to see that a little of her sorrow had lifted. He didn't understand it. Humans are complex creatures.
