Page 28 of Numbers Boy
“Hello?”
“Hey, is this a bad time?” She sounds rushed, and I think I know what’s coming. I put the call on speaker so I can keep talking to her while I get Stacy settled.
“Nope, you’re good, Amy,” I assure her. Stacy tilts her head adorably at the voice coming from my phone, and I ruffle her ears before pointing to her bed. She trots off without another thought. “What’s up?”
“Work just called. Three people are out sick, so they need anyone they can get to help cover. I know you said you had a pet-sitting gig this weekend, but is there any way you or Blake could watch the girls?”
I’m already thinking through Blake’s schedule, but he’s got a bunch of different people today, and that wouldn’t work to take the girls to. “Let me text Steve and see if he’s okay with the girls being here today.”
“Wait, you’re at Steve’s this weekend?” Amy’s voice is a little less harried now, and I know if I don’t cut off her line of thought right now, I’ll never hear the end of it.
“Yeah, he had to go out of town, so I’m with Stacy right now,” I confirm, not able to resist the urge to tease her a bit. “You know, pet sitting, like I told you. Now, are you going to bombard me with questions about Steve, or are you going to let me go so I can make sure he’s okay with me babysitting at his place?”
“Talk to you soon!” she calls out cheerfully before hanging up on me.
I fight back a smile as I pull up Steve’s contact instead and send a message. I would call, but I don’t want to wake him if he’s still asleep. Last I heard, he and his friends were out late last night, saying goodbye to Jamie after Henry’s pole competition. I still am not quite clear on who Jamie is, but it probably didn’t help that Steve was a few drinks in when he was trying to explain it to me.
Me: Hey, I know this is weird, but I have a favor to ask.
The message shows as read sooner than I expected, and then there’s a reply.
Steve: Good morning! What do you need?
Me: My sister needs an emergency babysitter for the day. Do you mind if my nieces hang out with me and Stacy?
Steve: Sure! I bet Stacy will love that
Steve: Just make sure you send pics if anything super cute happens
Me: You’re the best
Me: I hope you have a great day
Steve: Thanks, you too! *heart emoji*
Grin stretched firmly across my lips at his easy acceptance of the situation, I call my sister back and let her know that everything is settled. After I give her Steve’s address, I double-check that Stacy has water and tell her that we’re going to have visitors. She barks in acknowledgment, and I laugh at her enthusiastic tail-wagging. I know the girls are going to adore her.
Less than half an hour later, the doorbell to Steve’s apartment sounds, and I buzz everyone up. Amy helps get the girls out of their coats, and Lilly laughs as her long brown hair stands on end from the static in her hat. Once they’re a little more settled, I call Stacy over and watch as three matching pairs of brown eyes light up.
As suspected, all three of the girls, my sister included, shower Stacy with pets and love. Stacy soaks up the attention, tail politely wagging and tongue hanging out of her mouth. After a few minutes, Amy gives Stacy one last pat, gives the rest of us hugs, then is on her way back out the door.
“Alright, girls, what’s the game plan?”
“What does Stacy like to do?” Lilly asks, crouched low so she can keep petting Stacy when she plops down and rolls over so her tummy is available for pets.
I give an overview of what Stacy’s schedule looks like for the day, and the girls decide we should get the boring stuff – aka homework – out of the way so we’re free to watch a movie before we take her on her evening walk. As soon as the credits roll on the princess film they voted for, Stacy pops up off Isabella’s lap like she knows what’s next. Isabella easily follows Stacy to where her lead is hanging by the door and helps get her ready for the walk.
The girls chatter happily all the way to the park, and I snap a couple of pictures as they walk. I send the images to Amy and Steve, assuring both of them that their respective girls are doing great. Both respond while we’re at the park, and I grab more pictures as my nieces play with Stacy, happy to watch as they grin and giggle at the pup’s enthusiasm. By the time Stacy brings her ball back and lies down to catch her breath, it’s hard to tell which of them is more worn out. I let Stacy rest for a bit, getting her water from the park water fountain, and then declare that it’s time to head home. Well, to Steve’s apartment.
Since Isabella got to hold Stacy’s leash on the way to the park, Lilly insists on holding it on the way back. Given how good Stacy is on her lead, and the fact that I’m still within arm’s reach, I let her. We make it all the way back to the apartment without any issues, and I don’t know if I’m prouder of Stacy for walking so well or Lilly for how well she guided Stacy on her walk.
When we get up to Steve’s door, Stacy gets a little antsy to get back off her leash. Her paws tap happily, and she spins in excited circles.
“Hold on, girl, we’re almost home,” Lilly assures the dog while I unlock the door. As soon as we’re in, Lilly unclips the leash from her collar. “Stacy, wait!” Lilly calls after her as she takes off running down the hallway, clearly thinking it’s still playtime.
“Come on, Lil, we better go make sure she’s not getting into something she shouldn’t,” comes the voice of reason from Isabella. They both follow the excited pup where she slipped into the spare bedroom. I remember Steve mentioning that the only places off-limits were the bathroom and his office space, so I figure I’ll give them a few minutes to round Stacy up before I offer my help.
Sure enough, soon all three girls are back in the sitting area, piled in a heap on the couch.
