Page 64 of Dirty Filthy Boy
My eyes widen. "Six hundred? That's less than half what I'm paying now."
"She was married to a plastic surgeon with a very lucrative practice, so money's not an issue for her. She's more concerned about having someone there she can trust."
"But if she's not concerned about money, why is she subletting it at all?"
"She doesn't like to leave it vacant in case something happens to the unit. Frozen pipes, that kind of thing." She pauses for a moment. "And it does come with a dog."
"A dog?"
"Yeah. A Labrador Retriever. Her grandkids suffer from allergies so she can't take him to Florida when she visits her son. Have you ever owned one?"
"Yes. I grew up with one." When I turned seven, I was given my own to raise—a female Collie who followed me everywhere I went. She'd gone missing a week before my sister had been kidnapped. Later on we'd found the Collie's body in a creek. She'd been strangled. Even though it couldn't be proved, I always suspected Tommy Hawkins of the crime. Months after it happened, my parents encouraged me to adopt another dog, but I didn't have the heart.
"So you know what they're like."
"Oh, yes."
"The condo is fully furnished, so you wouldn't need to move your things."
"That's good. My furniture was pretty much destroyed so there'd be nothing to move."
Her eyes grow soft. "I'm so sorry, dear." She pats my hand. "So, should I give Lorena a call and let her know you're interested? She's leaving Saturday, so you'll want to settle things with her as soon as you can."
I'd be living in a safe place and paying very low rent. It's an answer to my prayers. "Yes, please do." Coming to my feet, I hug her. "Thanks, Dotty. You're the best."
An hour later, she patches Lorena through to my phone. After a quick conversation, I make plans to visit her after work.
That evening, I walk into her apartment. The place is gorgeous. A two-bedroom luxury apartment, and best of all, fully furnished. Rosco, the Labrador Retriever is sweet and friendly. After Lorena shows me his bag of toys, we play a session of throw and catch. Rosco's eyes never leave mine as I toss more toys at him. He fetches and returns them, dropping the toys on my lap.
Lorena flashes a bright smile as she puts both hands over her heart. "Oh, I'm so glad you two are getting along. Oh, don't get me wrong. He's very friendly, but he really seems to like you. You must have a good soul."
"Have you always had him?"
"Since he was a puppy. I had a house then. But after my husband passed three years ago, it became too much for me. So I purchased this condo and moved in."
"How does Rosco like living in an apartment? Labs are usually pretty active dogs."
"You know your breeds." She pats Rosco's head. "He's gotten used to it. But I do have a dog walker come in twice a day to take him for a romp in the park. He just loves that. Rosco, I mean. And once a week he goes to doggy day care, so he can socialize with other dogs. You don't have to take him. They drop by on Wednesdays at eight o'clock to pick him up, and bring him back by six. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?"
"No. I'm not scheduled at work until nine, and I'll make sure I'm back by that time on Wednesdays." A small concession for getting such a great apartment.
"Perfect."
We go over Rosco's feeding and walking schedule which she has taped to her refrigerator door, along with emergency phone numbers for the vet, the dog walker, the doggy day care, and the closest animal hospital. Clearly, Rosco's a beloved pet.
"So when can you move in?" Lorena asks.
"How about Friday? I can take half a day off from work to settle in. That should give you an opportunity to fill me in on any last-minute details."
She comes to her feet. And so does Rosco, who'd spent the last fifteen minutes with his head on my lap.
"We'll see you on Friday then."
Rosco accompanies me to the door and even whines a little when I leave. Well, at least I don't have to worry about a companion. Rosco will keep me company. Now the hard part will be telling Ty.
But that night I get a reprieve. Because of the Monday night game, he doesn't get home until after one.
"No party."
