Page 26 of Undone

“I’m good, really,” I said, the lie slipping off my tongue a little too quickly. “Thanks for checking in, though. It means a lot.”

There was another pause, but this one felt different. “Well… I’m glad you’re doing okay,” Dorian said, his tone quieter, like he was giving me space but still reaching out.

My heart gave an unexpected flutter, something about his voice doing things I wasn’t ready for.

Nope, not again.

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice a little softer than usual. “Me too.”

I focused on keeping the dog calm, continuing to murmur softly to it. The rain fell steadily around us. I was soaked, but I hardly noticed as I kept my attention on the dog, my heart aching for the pain he was in.

The patter of rain was broken by the sudden flash of headlights cutting through the mist. They shimmered on the wet pavement as the car slowed to a stop nearby, the tires swishing through the water.

“Looks like she’s here now. I’ll let you go. Thank you,” I said.

“I’ll check in later. Let me know how it goes,” he replied.

Sarah, the vet, stepped out with an umbrella and a smile, her presence comforting. Together, we gently lifted the dog into her car, careful not to jostle his injured paw.

“Let’s get you both out of this weather,” Sarah said kindly, nodding for me to join her.

We drove to her clinic, where she quickly took the dog inside for a thorough examination, and I felt a sense of relief knowing the dog was in capable hands.

After a few hours, a vet bill I hadn’t anticipated, and a stop at the pet store for supplies, I found myself back at my apartment with an unexpected new companion. He wasn’t registered to anyone. I posted to a few local lost and found pet pages, but Sarah said it was rare that a dog in this condition was lost, most likely abandoned.

But at least now, he was cleaned up and bandaged, curled up next to me on the couch. Luckily, nothing too serious seemed to be wrong—just a sprained ankle and some scrapes.

I quickly typed out a message to Dorian to update him. His reply came almost instantly, making me smile, despite the exhaustion tugging at me.

Me

He is doing well now, and I apparently have a new pet, assuming no one claims him.

Dorian

Glad to hear it went well. Think of a name yet?

Me

No, any suggestions?

I paused, taking a quick picture, his floppy ear all askew, and hit send.

Dorian

He looks like a Stewart to me.

Me

Stewart is an awful name.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the suggestion. It felt good to smile again outside my classroom.

Dorian

Fair enough. What about Walker? It’s a strong name.

Me

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