Page 39 of Words Unspoken

He didn’t even look at her. He just wanted to have a shower, change into dry clothes, fall into bed, and let the despair swallow him whole. Michael put down the dog, kicked off the shoes and squelched in his sock feet to his room dripping water everywhere. FedEx followed.

Forget the shower. He had six hours of rain poured on him and he was too tired for it. He had showered enough he decided. He peeled off his clothes and dried himself and the dog with a towel before getting dressed in the comfortable sweats. He wished he had some scotch or whiskey in the house. He could down a bottle or two right now. FedEx sighed gustily and watched him with sad brown eyes.

It was probably better that he didn’t get drunk. Michael had never been drunk a day in his life. He didn’t know if he would be a mean drunk or just a sad one. Michael fell across the bed and closed his eyes. Moments later the bed dipped as FedEx joined him. She sniffed around then curled up next to him, her head on the pillow next to his.

He didn’t even care.

∞

The dog was waking him up. It kept nosing his hand around and licking it. Michael jerked it back and pretended he was sleeping. He didn’t want to get up to face the world yet. FedEx snuffled against his neck and Michael squirmed away. Finally, when she whined, he sat up and ran a hand through his hair. The dog bounded to the door.

He got up and let her out. Belatedly he remembered all the money and effort he put into her and grabbed the leash and caller. Michael ran after her, blisters protesting. FedEx did her business and came straight back to him, dancing merrily in the sand. Michael sighed and walked back up the deck stairs, the dog following.

They made their way to the kitchen. It must be late afternoon. FenLei was not there yet, but a bowl of water and some dog kibble had made it in a dish on the floor. FedEx consumed the lot hungrily then slurped up some water. There was a box of colorful bags on the counter. Michael picked it up. From the pictures he could see that they were scented poop bags for the dog.

He was not picking up FedEx is poop. However, if he did not it would be all over the beach and Michael really didn’t want to step in FedEx is poop. He supposed he was picking it up. He had no idea what he was supposed to do with it afterward. He set down the box and eyed the dog. Michael wondered how often a dog pooped in a day.

FedEx was roaming and sniffing. Michael decided to make coffee and eat some cereal. As he ate there were two brown eyes watching him mournfully. She was sitting and staring, her head moving with the movement of the spoon.

Rolling his eyes, Michael left a little in the bottom of the bowl and fed it to her. She gobbled it up and he put the empty dish in the sink. He stretched. He was still tired. He decided to head back to bed.

FedEx followed him.

He decided she was a good dog already. Noah would hate her. Max would love her. They both settled on the bed, and Michael reached out a hand, stroking her short silky fur.

He missed Ann.

∞

A child yelled gleefully as it came into the bedroom. Michael popped open an eye to see Evan is face right in his, toddler breath fanning him.

He sighed and sat up, pulling the little boy onto the bed. Immediately, Even reached out and grabbed FedEx by and ear. The dog pulled her head back and stared at the intruder.

Michael hoped FedEx was okay with kids. She pursed her lips and let out a puff, not quite a bark. Then her head swiveled to look at the door. Expecting to see Ethan next, Michael was surprised to see Elle carrying her other son. She put Ethan carefully on the bed, looking at FedEx.

“FenLei tells me you went to talk to Ann and came home with a dog,” she let FedEx sniff her hand then gently petted her. “What happened?”

He didn’t want to talk about it. Michael focused on Evan instead, encouraging the boy to jump on the bed, something Elle never liked.

“Obviously, it didn’t go well,” Elle remarked dryly.

No kidding, Michael thought.

Not to be left out, Ethan began jumping too. FedEx retreated behind Michael and stared over his shoulder at the two boys.

“If you don’t have anything to say, I will call Ann and get the story from her,” Elle warned mildly. She caught Ethan before he could fall off the bed.

Michael didn’t feel threatened. Let Elle call Ann. He was surprised she had not already done so. It had been a few days since the ill-fated trip to Ann’s apartment and Michael had sulked the entire time, mostly sleeping and taking care of the dog. FenLei had told him he probably needed antidepressants. He didn’t see how they would bring Ann back. He figured FenLei was probably just angry at him because he was not eating what she cooked and baked.

“FenLei told me that you are not doing so well,” Elle eyed him critically. “You look like you could use a shower.”

A shower, a shave, and new clothes. It had seemed like too much effort, so he had not bothered. Now he felt a little grimy and ashamed that Elle should see him so. He sighed, handed her Even and trudged to the closet. FedEx followed him closely, keeping an eye on the intruders.

“Does the dog have a name?” Elle had followed him too, watching him grab sweats at random.

He nodded.

“I suppose that means you are keeping her?” she asked.