Page 68 of Silver Tears

I nod. Unable to find any words. He’s sitting on the sofa in nothing but those tight boxers I had my hands in last night. He is sex on a stick. His messy blond curls fall into those mischievous eyes of his, full of light and fun.

“I have to be at the shelter in two hours.”

Seb nods his head, his concentration back upon the large television mounted to the wall. “What do you say, Chops? Want to hang out today with some dogs that have nowhere to live?”

Charlie frowns, thinking over Sebs question. “Why don’t they have homes?”

Seb shrugs. “Because no one wants them.”

Charlie’s frown deepens. “That’s sad.” I can see his little mind working overtime as he thinks about the dogs. “Can’t we give them homes?”

Seb and I both laugh. “I don’t think mum would be happy if you arrived home with a dog, Chops.”

Charlie looks downcast. “I don’t think she’d care.”

I move over to him, kneeling in front of him, resting my hands on his knees. “Now listen to me, Charlie. Mum’s not very well at the moment. The drinks she’s having they make her forget things and make her tired, but she loves you very much.”

“Does she love Lenny?”

I sigh. How do you try to explain any of this to an innocent child? “No, I don’t think she loves him. Not really. I think she’s just lonely and he makes her feel like she’s not alone, even if he might not be good for her.”

“I hate him. He killed my sunflower plant.” His bottom lip quivers and my poor heart weeps. I reach for him and pull him onto my lap.

“I’ll get you another sunflower and we can keep it at Peggy’s. How does that sound?”

He nods his head, still looking bereft.

“Hey Chops. What do you want for breakfast; I’ll order it up?” Seb pipes up, distracting my little brother from his malaise.

“We can have food in the room?” he says in surprise.

“We can, and we can order as much as you want,” Seb replies. He reaches over to the side table and hands Charlie a food menu.

Charlie hungrily looks over the menu. “Can we have pancakes, ooh, and cinnamon rolls?”

We both laugh. He’ll be in a sugar coma before ten at this rate, but I’m past caring. If it puts a smile on his face and makes him forget what’s going on at home, then good.

An hour later, we’re driving back towards the Bay. We’re taking a risk bringing Chops, but I don’t want him to go home yet. Seb’s assured me we’ll be fine. He’s told Charlie we’re going to play a game where we pretend he’s not my sister, but he’s Seb’s cousin.

We arrive at the shelter, and we’re greeted by Trudy. She has volunteered here at the rescue for twenty years, dedicating her retirement to these unwanted souls. Charlie is very excited, and he plays along when I introduce him as Seb’s cousin. I set them both to work, moving along the kennels and retrieving all the food and water bowls. Visitors excite the dogs, and Charlie laughs when they wag their tails excitedly at us.

“Hey, Bruno,” I say as we reach the kennel at the end. I have a soft spot for Bruno. He’s eleven, and he’s been here at the shelter for over twelve months. His owner passed away, and he gets overlooked all the time because of his age. I worry that he’s forgotten what it feels like to live in a loving home. I stroke his head and he leans into me before lying down and rolling on his back.

“What’s he doing?” Charlie asks, giggling at him.

“He wants you to tickle his belly. Bruno loves belly rubs,” I tell him, beckoning him over. Charlie crouches beside me and laughs when he tickles Bruno’s furry belly.

“He’s funny.”

“He is. He is so loving, but sadly, no one wants him because he’s old,” I explain with a sigh.

Charlie frowns. “Can’t you take him home?”

I wish I could and believe me, I have tried. I have begged my dad to let me bring him home. When he asked me what I wanted for my sixteenth birthday, I said Bruno, but he still didn’t give in. Every Sunday I come in and hope that someone has taken a chance on him, but every week he’s still here. Waiting.

“Sadly, I can’t. My dad won’t let me.”

Charlie’s head darts up to find Seb, who has been leaning against the kennel door, quietly watching us. “Seb could take him home. He’s rich!”

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