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"Sorry girl. I know you have to go." She picked up Chiefy's leash and opened the door.
They walked only a few steps when Chiefy had to pee. While she waited for her to finish her business, Grace bushed the dust off her clothing.
She looked over to the beach at a group of young people playing in the sandbar. She missed those days. She missed her old body too. She'd never wear a bikini these days. She'd gotten a bit soft. It was a one-piece-only time of her life.
Swallowing the bit of sadness that brought, she started walking as Chiefy finished her job.
A light breeze blew her hair back and it felt good on her skin. The breeze was warm, and it brought the aroma of salt water and blooming azaleas. A great combination.
They turned right with the road and then right on Main Street. She glanced across the street and down past the gas station to the garage where Sid worked. A group of about four bikers were at the garage. They looked like a rough bunch with their club colors and tattoos. She couldn't see Sid anywhere, but saw a man stalk out of the garage and motion for them to get on their bikes. He angrily looked back into the garage, climbed on his bike and they sped away.
Warning bells went off in Grace's head. A confrontation could send Sid into another attack. She hurried down the street as three of the bikers blew past her. The fourth pulled his bike in front of the gas station and on her side of the street. He parked in a way that he could see the Garage and that made her worry a bit more. She stepped off the sidewalk and crossed the street, not walking past the biker. Stupid, she thought to herself. There was no indication he'd harm her or Chiefy, but she didn't like the posture and demeanor of them as they stood in the Garage parking area.
She tried not looking his way as they passed, then Chiefy recognized where they were and began tugging on her leash. Grace moved into the Garage parking area and neared the open garage door. Chiefy tugged hard on her leash and Grace let her go. She ran into the garage and to the back wall. Grace stepped into the garage but remained close to the door.
Sid stood in front of a toolbox, leaning back against it. His eyes were closed and he was practicing even breathing. Chiefy sidled up to him and pressed her body against Sid. Sid's hand reached down and rested on Chiefy's head. Grace's eyes filled with tears as she watched her pup, so eager to help.
Swiping her eyes to wick the moisture away, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Sid opened his eyes and immediately locked on hers.
"I won't hurt you."
Grace smiled. "I don't think you will. I'm giving you space."
Sid stood taller, and patted Chiefy's head. "Chiefy doesn't care about personal space."
Grace laughed. "She was trained to be an active support system. I was trained to support it by not hovering."
Sid swallowed deeply. She watched his Adam's apple bob up and down. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly then stepped closer to her. She took two steps forward and they met inside the garage.
Sid's voice was gravelly and low. "Thank you. You must be my guardian angel. You seem to come when I need you."
Chiefy whined. Sid chuckled. "And you too, Chiefy." He pet her vigorously and her tail wagged happily.
Grace smiled as she watched them. "Is everything alright with those bikers?"
Sid's Adam's apple bobbed again. "For the time being."
"What did they want?"
"They wanted me to be their club mechanic."
"Oh." She stared into his eyes. Those deep brown orbs were hard to look away from.
"I said no."
"I figured. It didn't look like a happy ending."
"No."
It was her turn to swallow. She liked being near him. This close to him. His body was bigger than hers. He was taller but maybe only a foot or so. His broad shoulders were still muscular, but his belly was slightly soft in the middle. Just like hers.
"Will you be alright? I see one of them watching the Garage now."
He inhaled deeply. "I'll be alright. What brings you around today?"
"We have to go to the hardware store for paintable caulk."
