Page 71 of Now and Forever

“He’ll have to get through me first!” I say, laughing too as I get out of the car.

But before I can say another word, the gate opens and there’s Eric, his face totally twisted. He takes giant strides toward the car, gives his sister a look, and hisses, “I’ll talk to you later ... little sister.”

Marta nods and, without a word, takes off. We’re left by ourselves, facing each other in the middle of the street. Eric takes me by the arm, trying to rush me inside.

“C’mon ... let’s go home.”

Suddenly, there’s a harrowing growl that breaks the silence, and, before anything happens that we might regret, I shake loose from Eric and calmly whisper, “Take it easy, Susto. It’s OK.”

The dog comes close, trying to protect me.

“You know this mutt?”

“Yes, it’s Susto.”

“Susto? You’ve named him Susto?”

“Yes, isn’t he cute?”

Eric wrinkles his brow. “What is he wearing around his neck?”

“He was cold, so I made a scarf for him,” I say, delighted.

The dog puts his bony paw on my leg, and I caress him.

“Don’t touch him—he’ll bite you!” says an angry Eric.

That makes me laugh. I’m sure Eric would bite before Susto ever did.

“Don’t touch that dirty mutt, Jude, for the love of God!” he insists.

The dog growls, and I lean down.

“Don’t pay any attention to him, OK, Susto? C’mon, go to sleep. It’s OK.”

Eric is discombobulated, and the dog gives him a quick glance before he goes into his ramshackle house. Eric walks away without a word.

“Can I bring Susto into the house?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

I knew it!

“Look at this poor little guy, Eric. Look how cold he is.”

“That mutt is not setting foot in my house.”

Oh, we’re back tohishouse!

“C’mon, my love. Please!”

He doesn’t respond, and, in the end, I decide to follow him. I’ll insist some other time. I focus on his behind and his legs.

Wow! That tight butt and those strong legs make me grin; I can’t help myself and give him a quick slap on that ass.

Eric comes to a stop, gives me an incredibly sour look, and, without a word, keeps walking. I’m not afraid of him, and I’m feeling playful. I grab some snow, form it into a ball, and target that beautiful ass of his. Eric stops again. He curses in German and then walks off again.

Oh, what a lousy sense of humor!

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