In Case You Didn't Know

Chapter 27

"Hi little guy," I'm met by the high-pitched barks of Atticus as soon as I enter the car, tail wagging vigorously. He's got considerably bigger since the last time I saw him, and although he has begun to grow into his snout, he's still adorable. "Come here." I reach towards the backseat and take him in my arms, placing him on my lap. He climbs atop me enthusiastically, licking my entire face and nuzzling my neck as he keeps jumping on my lap.

"I'm very jealous right now." Nathaniel, whose hands are maneuvering the steering wheel as he pulls away from the curb, says in a rather melodramatic tone.

"This is why he poops in your slippers; you don't give him enough love." Nathaniel took him to get his last puppy vaccine this week, and I convinced him to take him for a long stroll today. Our first stop will be along the Mag Mile to grab lunch and then we'll walk to a nearby park.

It downs on me that this is our first, real date (again.) And even back then, we didn't get many opportunities to enjoy the gaieties of dating, always hidden behind closed doors. If I tried, I couldn't be any more excited to start this new chapter next to him.

"Cheers." Nathaniel says, sitting across the table from me.

"Cheers." I clink my glass with his before taking a sip. "What are we celebrating?"

"Your scans came clean."

"Sorry I lied to you the first time." I was very reluctant of getting a new MRI. There was fear, of course, that the results weren't going to be favorable. Being raised by a neurosurgeon I know that most of brain diseases have a higher probability of having a positive outcome if diagnosed on time, and ultimately that won. Thanks to the heavens above, there's nothing wrong with my brain. And I'm so ready to let it all behind. However, I was reprimanded by foregoing the doctor's initial recommendation of avoiding caffeine...

"And I guess we are also celebrating Atticus's transition from infant to toddler." Laughing, I look down to the pooch salivating as he peers up at me with droopy eyes. Slicing a piece of carrot from my plate, I surreptitiously feed him under the table. He smells the vegetable, give it a few licks, before ignoring it all together and lying back on his stomach.

"As picky as his dad."

"I heard that."

"Good, you were supposed to."

⚜⚜⚜

Nathaniel is wearing a gray Philadelphia Eagles baseball cap that makes the green of his eyes pop. I've attempted to borrow the item, but he almost fainted when I did as much as reaching a hand towards his head. Men and sports. It's hardly fair that he looks this good with just ordinary jeans and a plain t-shirt. If only he didn't complain every two minutes about having to walk another block...

"Come on, you used to be fit." I pull his hand, the other one occupied holding Atticus's leash. "Is old age affecting you?"

"So funny." He narrows his eyes at me, but grins nonetheless. "Since when do you like the outdoors, anyway?"

"I've always liked the outdoors. I just didn't have enough to enjoy them before."

"Aren't you supposed to be at home, writing?"

"Even writers rest on the weekends." I click my tongue, and shortly after I am yanked forward with Atticus sprinting enthusiastically when he sees another dog.

Nathaniel follows us close by, occasionally stopping to answer a text or take a picture. It feels notably odd. Walking around downtown Chicago in a lovely afternoon with my boyfriend and his dog.