Page 141 of 10 Rings I Hate About You
He went left. I followed.
Then he darted right, faster than a dog his size had any right to move, and tore into a full sprint, circling the room, tail whipping around like it was trying to detach itself from his body.
Savasana ended.
Doug got licked first, directly on his face. He made a sound that I would say he’d never want repeated from the way he winced. Sienna sat up with an “ohhoney,” but I couldn’t tell if she meant it for Doug or the dog.
The dog hit Goldie’s mat at full speed. My heart jumped in my throat. A seventy pound dog could crush her. Goldie, who had been in deep relaxation still lying on her mat, opened her eyes as Tucker leapt over her, full of enthusiasm.
The next victim—participant—was still flat on his mat, eyes open now but otherwise unmoved. Tucker planted himself at the man’s feet. The man blinked up at the ceiling, and then gave a small, resigned shrug, like this was part of what to expect.
Possibly due to boredom or a lack of attention, Tucker had decided his current spot didn’t work for him, so instead he ran toward Mia and stopped abruptly once he reached her. His tongue lolled out, and he woofed.
Mia laughed and held out her arms. He stood there for a moment, tail still thwacking, and then put his enormous head in her lap with the complete and utter adoration only a dog could show.
The room gave out a collective “awww.” Even Doug.
“Mom, please?” Mia asked.
Her mother, Amy, looked at her daughter’s face and then Tucker’s. “Honey, you’re going away to college next year and a dog is?—”
“Company,” Mia said. “For you and Dad when I’m gone.” Mia wrapped her arms around Tucker and gave her mom that pleading look teens had perfected over the years.
Tucker, as though he understood his future was in the balance, turned and applied himself to Amy with focused sincerity. He sat in front of her. He looked at her. He simply waited, head tipped slightly, eyes fixed on her without blinking.
He nudged Amy with his nose. And she reached out to rub behind his ears. A huge puppy grin lit up his face as he closed his eyes.
“Let me call your dad and see what he says.” She looked at Theo. “And you’re waiving the adoption fee?”
Theo, who I swear was blinking back tears, cleared his throat. “Yeah.”
This.This is what made it all worth it.
I met Glamma’s gaze. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. The look on her face said everything she would’ve said, which was, “You see? I do know best.”
I gave her a chin nod of understanding and acceptance.
The room had a light, happy energy as everyone wiped down and rolled up their mats. Participants lingered with the animals. I swear I overheard Doug and Sienna discussing taking Marmalade home.
My heart squeezed.
Theo moved through the room with the glowing energy of a man watching something he’d believed for a long time would come to fruition.
My phone buzzed. I held it up so Delaney could see me stepping out. The hallway outside the common room was cooler than expected. Or I was warmer than I’d registered.
I looked at the number.
I knew this number.
“Hello, Mr. Geraldi,” I said to the grant committee member I’d been in touch with since I started the application.
“Hello, Dr. Kingsley.” He spoke evenly, each word placed with careful precision. “So glad I caught you.”
I waited. I had learned, over the years, that waiting was usually more efficient than filling silence.
“The committee has some exciting news. Our regional schedule has opened up unexpectedly—we’re going to be moving up the site visit. We’ll be observing the Ruby River Animal Shelter at the end of the day, next Friday.”
“Wonderful.” I heard myself say. “Do you have a time yet?”
