Page 38 of Roughing the Player
“Meghan says ‘Hi’. She wants to know when she can come over.”
“Let’s wait and see, honey. You’re supposed to be getting some rest, and I’ll have to get you into your doctor’s tomorrow. Maybe Saturday?”
“Okay.” Her fingers fly on her cell some more. At least there’s nothing wrong with them. Thank God.
After what seems like forever, we finally pull into the garage. A frenzied scratching on the door that leads to the kitchen catches Kaylee’s attention. Her gaze bounces to me, eyes wide open. “What’s that?”
With all my attention focused on Kaylee’s injury, I’d forgotten to tell her about Brock’s dog. “Butch.”
“Who’s Butch?”
Resigned to what’s coming, I turn off the ignition. “You remember Brock Parker? The football player my firm represents?”
“Yes.”
“Well, his dog’s staying with us.”
“What? Why?” We’ve never had a dog, but Mama did. So Kaylee’s familiar with them. Of course, Mama’s was a Labrador Retriever who mainly sat around and scarfed up food. Butch is a lot more active, as I’ve found out during the last few days. He loves to play catch and tug-o-rope with the toys Brock dropped off for him. But with Kaylee being on crutches, it could be a recipe for disaster.
“Butch needed a place where he could run free. Apparently, he didn’t get much of a chance at the dog kennel. And since we have a nice big backyard, I offered to take him temporarily.”
“What kind of a dog is he? He sounds . . . big.”
No wonder she thinks that. Butch’s scratching has turned into mad howls.
“He’s a Pit Bull.”
“You wouldn’t let me have a Yorkie because it’d be too much trouble. But now you bring a Pit Bull into the house. Those things are huge.”
“He’s really gentle, honey.”
“Mom. I’m on crutches. I’ll trip over him.”
“You’re supposed to rest in bed, remember.”
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?” The one full bath in the house can only be reached from the hallway. So she might run into Butch when she has to go.
“If he becomes a problem, I’ll get a doggie gate. But grandma will make sure he doesn’t stray in your direction.”
“Grandma’s here?” For the first time, her face lights up. Doesn’t surprise me. She’s always had a special relationship with her grandmother.
“Yes. She’s watching him. It’s only for a little while. I promise.” I walk to the passenger side and help her to her feet. “Stay here. Let me make sure Butch is secured.”
But when I open the door a smidge, Butch jams his nose into the opening and bellows a couple of big breaths.
“Mama?” Where can she be? “Can you leash Butch?”
I wait patiently until I hear her hurried steps. “Sorry, honey. Nature called.” She snaps the leash on Butch and reels him back, but Butch is super strong and he’s not obeying her.
Oh, please God, let him go with Mama. I don’t want to have to call Brock and tell him this is not working out.
“Butch. Sit,” Mama commands.
Thankfully, he does.
“It’s okay to open the door, Eleanor. I have him.”
I slice it open until the space is big enough to walk through. And then I hurry back to Kaylee and help her maneuver the steps to the garage door.
