Page 74 of Margo and the Faux Good Luck Beau
“It is?”
“No, but you are.” She pops to her feet and pecks me on the cheek. “I’m going to go into the smoothie shop and see if I can get this guy water.” She pauses. “No collar. I wonder if he’s lost or alone.”
I sit back down on the bench and wait. The dog whines when Margo leaves, but then nudges my hand with his muzzle until it’s on top of his head forcing me to scratch his ears.
She appears moments later with a plastic container of water. “The kid working in there said the dog has been hanging around here all week. Someone brought him to a shelter to see if he has a microchip, and I guess he doesn’t.”
“Why isn’t he still in the shelter?”
Margo shrugs. “He said everyone thinks the dog escaped.”
“Does he have a name?”
The dog looks up at us with puppy dog eyes.
“Where are your people?” Margo asks.
“Seems a little thin.”
“And dirty.”
I nod. “No offense, dude, but you smell.”
We park ourselves on the bench as if we’re both reluctant to leave the animal alone.
“I can’t believe Micah retired,” I say, still getting used to the news.
“I wonder who’ll be tapped for captain.” Margo sips her smoothie.
“He’s in the family way.”
“How many kids does he have?”
“Three. Maybe one more on the way. He has his suspicions, but Meg hasn’t said yet.”
“How long do NHL players usually last?” Margo asks.
“Hopefully a long time. Hopefully, an average lifetime.”
We both laugh.
“Career length depends,” I explain. “The forwards and defensemen tend to have more wear and tear. Injuries can take a guy out.”
“And goalies?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Any idea who’s replacing Micah?”
“Badaszek has his eye on Cruz, but as far as I know no contracts have been signed.”
“Doesn’t he play for the St. Louis Liberators?”
“Did. He was on the Kings, then the Liberators, and now the Cascades.”
“I’m still learning.”
“You’re doing amazing.”
