Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” she said, stepping away from the truck, lifting a hand to wave. I answered the call while shutting the door.
“What’s going on?” I asked. She rarely made contact outside of our regularly scheduled Sunday evening calls, choosing to text me throughout the week.
“Where are you? What happened, son?” Her voice mirrored the sadness I’ve been dealing with for weeks.
“So you know?” I asked and left the truck running in the parking lot of the kennel.
“Carter’s speaking to Dash right now,” she said. “I heard that you two are on a break. What’s going on, Beau? Where are you?”
“The what happened answer is that he and I grew apart. I’ve been battling with it for a while. The evening I got home from being with you guys, Dash wasn’t there, which was normal, but when he arrived, he was so drunk. Another guy jumped out of the car and took him back inside. I watched it all. Arms around each other, holding each other close. I took off that night, and that’s the whole story. He showed up here. If he wasn’t so damned cocky, I probably would’ve gone back with him, but I didn’t. We’re done.”
“Oh, Beau, I’m sorry. I knew things were off, but I didn’t understand how far it had gone,” she said. “Come here. We have plenty of room for you. It’ll give you time to build a plan.”
“I’m in Sea Springs. I rented a place close to the beach. It’s small but enough for me. I never felt comfortable living in those big homes. There’s a lot of space in them to feel lonely.” My new puppies gave a baby bark, drawing my attention to the rearview mirror. Both dogs were side by side, staring out the front of the cage. I lifted a finger to my lips, glancing back at them. “Shh.”
“What was that?” she asked.
“I adopted two puppies today. They’re in the back seat.” My mom fell silent for so long that I had to check if she was still on the call.
“You there?” I asked.
“Beau, sweetheart, you went to Sea Springs and adopted two dogs? Are you okay? Should you be making so many life-changing decisions right now?”
Her worry caused me to chuckle. “I’m on the opposite side of the city from where everything went down. I always liked coming here to see nana and paw. Sea Spring’s feels like my home. As for the dogs… I planned to adopt one, but his cellmate was funny and cute. They felt like a package deal. I don’t know how to care for a pet, but I’m gonna try.”
“What can I do to help you?” she asked.
“Nothing. I’m taking things day by day. I miss Dash, but I miss the old Dash, not the person he’s become.”
“I can’t believe he was with another guy. He never struck me as that type of person,” she said.
“I’m okay, Mom. Better now that I’m out of Chicago. I gotta get us back to the motel and read all the stuff the kennel sent home with me. Tomorrow I’m taking possession of the townhouse I rented. I gotta get furniture and stuff.” As I spoke, Dash’s name popped up on the screen. The man never gave me a break. Of course I let it go to voicemail.
“I’m sorry for what’s happened. I want the best for you,” she said.
“Tell Carter I have no issue with him working with Dash. I know they’re close. I don’t know if he’d even consider not working with him, but I don’t want to know about it,” I said.
“I’ll tell him. Beau, I love you. I’m so proud of the person you’ve become. Don’t discount Dash just yet. See if he makes the changes that put you two together again. Remember when times were good…” Her sad voice bothered me, but I wasn’t in a place to relieve her just yet.
“I’m okay, Mom. Trying to keep busy to distract myself. I’ll call you once I settle into my new place,” I said. “But I’m hanging up now. I gotta get on the road.”
“Bye, sweetheart. I’ll call you Sunday night.”
“Bye, Mom.” I hung up, pushing her worry away. It was tough to end any relationship, but mine and Dash’s love story was unique and genuine, taking us from childhood into adulthood. When the bond started to break, I should have left. I gave a quick glance over my shoulder, realizing that my energy was now focused on these two dogs. We were going to be just fine.
25: The Practice
Dash
Spring, 2015
Dallas, Texas
“Dasham, they’re leaving now!” Amelia shouted from the front porch. Meanwhile, I was taking a final walk through my Dallas home before handing it over to the new owners. As I moved from room to room, I reminisced about the special moments I’d shared within these walls. Whether with Beau or during those times when I waited for him to arrive, I sought refuge here. I had a deep love for this place. It held an irreplaceable spot in my heart.