Shit.
Then again, what are the odds Momactuallypicked a new code?
I type in six familiar digits: Dad’s birthday.
The lock whirs, and high-pitched barking immediately cuts through the quiet.
I open the door, and there’s Rusty. His bark turns to a confused whine as he smells me, and I push inside, holding my hand down to him.
“Hey, buddy. It’s been a long time.”
Rusty whines again, then his tail starts wagging and he jumps, licking my face.
“I missed you too.”
I stand and take a deep breath.
The house is like a museum of my youth. The air feels syrupy, like if I stay too long, I might not be able to leave again.
Rusty sniffs excitedly at my feet, and I drop down to tousle the old terrier’s fur. He’s some kind of mutt, just a scruffy little bundle of mottled grey fur and hatred of squirrels. He’s a bit pudgier than he should be, and his snout is nearly all white, but he seems happy. I guess Mom knew to give him extra treats for me, after all.
I find his favorite toy nearby, a knotted rope, and let him tug me all over the kitchen. He whips his head back and forth, murdering the rope, just like he did back then.
I check the clock; there’s still some time until Mom’ll be home.
I reach under the sink and find a bag of treats for Rusty. They’re healthy dental treats now, instead of whatever crap we used to feed him, so I guess maybe things can change for the better around here.
I offer Rusty a treat, and he trots over and takes it, then curls up in my lap, breathing heavily.
I chuckle, running my fingers through his fur. “Guess you don’t have the stamina you used to, huh, old guy?”
As Rusty happily munches his treat, I wrap him in a hug. Quiet tears dampen his fur, and he licks my face. His dog breath is as stinky as ever. This time, I don’t push him away.
“Mylo?”
Only Rusty’s calm keeps me from startling.
“Annie…”
My little sister stands in the hallway, looking so much like Dad: warm brown eyes, curly auburn hair, aquiline nose. She takes after him as much as I take after Mom.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, more confused than concerned.
“It’s… a long story. I should ask you the same, though. I thought you were still in classes.”
“I am. Semester doesn’t start until next week, so I’m visiting for a couple days.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Rusty’s missed you.”
I tousle the terrier’s fur as he continues licking my face. “Yeah.”
“He still sleeps on your bed when no one’s home.”
“Oh.” Something hollow rings in my chest.
“How long are you here for?”
