Page 50 of Worst in Show

“I’ll give you guys some privacy,” Sylvia says, drawing the curtain between the beds before she leaves the room again.

“Thanks again,” Harvey calls to her.

“Anytime.”

He beams. Oh boy, the ladies back home are about to have their hopes dashed.

I start laying out my agenda in detail, and he listens without interrupting. When I get to the show, his forehead creases.

“This sounds well and good, kiddo,” he says when I’m done, “but it does pain me that you have to shoulder all this on your own. It’s a big undertaking.”

I don’t have it in me to brush off his concern. It is a lot. But also… “I moved here to help, and I’m not about to give up now. As long as you and the dogs need me, I’m here. I probably can’t win, but I’m going to try. But maybe you can help me think of a talent for Cho.”

Harvey rests a pensive finger against his lower lip. “She climbs the furniture a lot. Could you do something with that?”

“We’ll be on a stage. I don’t think it’s possible to turn it into a ‘floor is lava’ game where she jumps between tables, and shelves, and whatnot.”

He shrugs. “A couple of chairs, a ladder maybe… Or what about Boris or Cap? Sometimes she sits on top of them.”

I have seen that. And Cap’s name is already on the registration since I hadn’t yet decided which one of them to show. Could I train her to stand on Cap’s back?

“She’s so smart,” Pop continues. “I bet you could teach her to balance on one of those big exercise balls.”

“Now, that would be a real circus act.”

Harvey takes my hand, squeezes it. “I believe in you, Cora. You can do anything you set your mind to. You’ll win that grand prize; I can feel it in my bones. Best in Show.”

More like Worst in Show at the rate I’m going. His confidence in me makes my throat tighten. I never told him I dropped out of college, that helping him at the store was only part of the reason I moved out here. No one but Micki knows. I’m very much aware that, if I mess this up, it won’t be the first time I falter at the finish line.

“I’m going to do my best to be there to watch you win,” he says with a determined nod. “The doctors are happy with my recovery so far.”

I swallow against the lump in my throat. “Yeah, you show them. Rest, eat, do your physical therapy.”

“Speaking of eating. Could you check if Charles still has his pudding from lunch?”

My mouth pops open. “Excuse me?”

“He doesn’t eat it anyway. It’s a waste.”

“Pop…” I chuckle but go check, nevertheless. Sure enough, there’s a pudding cup on his roommate’s side table. Charles doesn’t move as I lean closer, but it feels as if he knows.

“I can’t do it.” I sit back on Harvey’s bed. “You’re as bad as Cholula.”

He sighs with dramatic flair. “Guess I’ll have to wait for Sylvia to come back, then.”

Something tells me she’ll be more than happy to oblige.

Living History Illinois Flockify DM, Monday 05:15 PM

RenaissanceMom: Desperately need a dress made for Lincoln Masquerade Ball on Halloween. Too late? Happy to pay double what you charged last time.

SingerQueen: Good to hear from you! Hope the Outlander gown worked out.

RenaissanceMom: So many compliments!!! *heart eyes emoji*

SingerQueen: Awesome. Same measurements? Inspo pics?

RenaissanceMom: I’ll send a link to my Pinterest.

---