Stranger Danger

55

Copyright © MonMoncheese
All Rights Reserved
55 Published 04.25.2020

•••

JAMES

"Theo, slow down!" I tug at the leash and he huffs in response.

But instead of slowing down, he revels against me and pushes his little legs to run faster. 

Strands of hair, brush over my forehead and I groan in annoyance. I could hear the sound of my shoes as they pounded harshly on the sidewalk beneath me, the wind slapping my skin in the process. 

There was a thin layer of sweat covering the nape of my neck, but I ignore the feeling of it and focus on the dog that was dead set of having his way. 

"Fine," I grunt and sprint into a run as Theo forces me to pick up my speed. My body was filled with adrenaline at this point. 

Theo may still be a puppy, but his energy sometimes surprised me.

And if this was his energy now, I didn't want to know what would happen when he got bigger. 

As the houses pass by us in a blur, I see Theo stick out his tongue while panting.

We continue running for a few minutes, neither of us stopping once.

But as we start nearing the gates, Theo's speed seems to decrease.

"Are you tired now?" I manage to say through the sound of my pants.

Theo gives me his answer the moment he stops running and plops down on the concrete beneath him. 

Letting go of his leash, I lean over and place both hands on my knees as I try to catch my breath.

After a minute or so, I lean down on both knees. "Come on boy, let's go back. You must be thirsty." I pat his head and stand up to my full height. 

"Did you enjoy yourself?" I ask Theo and barks loudly while pushing himself on all fours.

"I'm glad." With a smile, I pat his head.

Grabbing his leash, I proceed to turn around and walk back to the way we came from, Theo following beside me. 

We're halfway to the house when I hear the sound of my phone ringing. 

Grabbing the leash with my left hand, I pull out the phone from the side pocket of my trackies. As my eyes come in contact with the name, my whole demeanor changes in recognition.

"Hello, princess," I answer.

"James!" She yells and I flinch the moment her voice rings through my ears. 

She's definitely happy today.

There was no doubt of that.

"Yes, baby?" My lips betray me as a smile grows on my lips at the mention of my name for her.

"I have something to tell you so listen carefully," She lowers her tone.

"Go on," I say just as Theo starts sniffing the ground. 

"Oooh, that's a nice picture of Benedict Cumberbatch, his eyes are quite pretty- no, focus, Rose. Focus." The moment she scolds herself, I cock my head to the side.