Page 59 of A New Leash on Life

Melanie disappeared behind the curtain, and someone came out of the back room with a microphone and a master board for the game.

I felt a drop of sweat roll off my forehead. The last time I played bingo was at our office Christmas party. It took a near blackout card for Sasha, an intern, to alert the group I won the game.

“Katie, why didn’t you tell us?” Frank had asked, his laughter turning into a slight frown. I didn’t want to win because then I’d have to announce itandgo to the front and collect my prize.

“I thought I’d give someone else a chance.”

He was sweetened by my answer. “Katie, you are so kind. But fair is fair! Here you go—the grand prize!” He tore a tablecloth off a sideboard, revealing a giant gift package.

“A $200 gift certificate to The Fondue Pot, a flower bouquet of $150 value from Rose-Colored Glasses Florals, $75 rental credit for Norlands, so you can rent outfits for both you and your date, and of course, a party limo with full bar service to and fro. It’s a complete night on the town, Katie!”

My co-workers started laughing hysterically.

“We all know how much Katie likes to go out!” Chaz spewed.

I like to go out, just not withyou, I thought.

“Congratulations, Katie.” Jenna patted my shoulder as she dropped the prize sheet and gift certificates before me. “You deserve it. Don’t listen to those idiots.” She whispered, rolling her eyes at the guys who were now wiping tears after theylaughed so hard. Just what was so funny about it?

I looked at Jenna, who sat back in her chair only one seat away from me. Her bingo card was a near win—having one or two away from several possibilities. She had kids at home and wore a small wedding band. I quietly slid the prize over to her and smiled, getting up to grab my things. The party was over. I had already won the game. I said goodnight to Frank and his wife and left.

But now, this was different. No one in here cared who I was. Everyone in here was joined simply by the fact they were pet owners. In these parts, I was identified as the owner of my miniature poodle. It was the perfect hideout for introverts.

Melanie promptly returned with my drink. “Enjoy.” She cheerfully smiled as she sat down a beautiful pink glass with a sparkling pick holding a lime garnish. I took a sip, the fizzy spices awakening my senses. If the food was as good as this drink, Dolly and I would be regulars here for sure.

Just not on Wednesdays.

CHAPTER 13

CANINE CLOTHIER

“Good evening, everyPAWdy!” Laughter erupted as the hostess took over the microphone. “Who’s ready for some BINGO?” He did a hip shimmy to his question while jingling a wand that looked like it was wrapped up in dog collars with bells on. People started clapping and cheering. Looking around the diner, I noticed how quite a few people were here without friends—just their doggy companion in tow.

“If this is your first time joining us tonight, welcome.” He clapped and everyone, including myself, joined in.

“My name is Liam, and I own the Blitz & Bones Cafe,” more people clapped at this revelation, “and I’ll be administering the game tonight. My lovely wife Suzy is off rescuing more doggies tonight—so be sure to tune into our social media pages this week for information on the details. Okay, let’s get right into it, shall we?” He looked down and read from a paper. “The Bingo card sales from tonight’s game will benefitFor The Love of Paw Animal Rescue.The first card, as always, is on us and taken from the proceeds of your drink tickets—so indulge guilt-free! No limit to how many cards you buy. There will be five games total, and if you so generously decide to donate your winnings instead, Blitz & Bones will match the donation.” Everyone clapped again, and Liam raised his arms up, waving them into the air so we would clap even more.

“Last week, we raised $673 forSenior Small’s Sanctuary!!!”

The crowd winded down from its cheering as he began to spin the bingo ball. “Now let me relive the days my mother put me in rhythmic dance as a child andlet’s get our BINGO ON!”

Now his moves made more sense. You could tell he was a talented dancer, even in his silliness for this game. But something about his graceful moves reminded me of my fear ofFlash Mobs.

It was the reason I avoided the shopping mall altogether between November 1st and December 26th. Sure, I only witnessed a Flash Mob with my own eyes once, but it was the perfect storm of embarrassment. Hey, I enjoyed Christmas carols as much as anyone, but something about a group of civilians dressed like they just left a tap recital,thrusting to the beat of ‘Let It Snow’,scarred me for life.

I could tell everyone in the diner was serious about Bingo. Even the dogs were settling in, getting comfortable on the assortment of dog beds along the diner wall.

“Katie, would you like a bed for her?” Melanie whispered as I noticed everyone went silent so they could hear the numbers being called. Dolly looked like she was working up a yawn, so I agreed. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

“First up: B9.” A few people had cards covering their entire two-top table, hastily marking them off. I didn’t have that number, taking a sigh.

She returned a moment later with a small donut shaped fluffy bed from the back. “Don’t worry, we wash these between each dog, so you don’t need to worry about fleas or dirt on your little princess.”

Now that was service.

Our food arrived and it smelled heavenly. Melanie sat it next to the cards, making sure I had ample space for both. I nodded in appreciation. “Thank you, Melanie.” One bite, and I was hooked. My hunger set in, and I was eating like no one was watching.

Liam spun the ball dramatically each time. “G6.Like a G6.”He sang the tuneand did a snake-like dance while everyone laughed nervously, not wanting to miss a number on their cards. But his pace was good. While he didn’t repeat himself more than once, he gave ample time to get the numbers marked on our cards. I had that number, and using the squishy pink ink, I marked the box.

---