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“That’s very thoughtful, but she’s a chaos gremlin, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible, so she truly won’t care.”
“In that case,” Francine laughs, “I can bring her to my place.”
“What are you up to tomorrow?”
“I have physical therapy in the morning and then I’m free.”
“If I text you my address, could you pick her up tomorrow?”
“Works for me.” Francine takes my phone from my outstretched hand and types in her number, creating a contact for herself complete with a hockey net emoji by her name, as if I’d forget the only Francine in my phone. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Stefan.”
Francine steps off the sidewalk and walks to her car, waving before she climbs in and drives away, leaving me on the sidewalk with an odd feeling of hope in my chest.
My doorbell rings just after noon, and I step out onto my front porch to meet Francine and prepare her for her first meeting with Stevie. Francine’s hair is piled in a messy knot on top of her head today, her legs are clad in leggings and socks pulled high with her tennis shoes. I’m so used to seeing her in game day clothes, but could definitely get used to this side of her.
Priorities, Morrow. Get it together.
“Thank you again for this,” I don’t know if I should hug her or shake her hand or what so I opt for awkwardly shoving my hands in the pockets of my Union joggers. “When we get inside, she’s going to be curious about you and want to know who you are. If you think it’ll be easier, I can go in first and put her outside and take this slow…”
“No,” Francine stops me, her hand on my arm. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll be just fine.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Stefan. I’m sure.”
Okay then.
When I open the door, Stevie looks up from where she’s laying on the kitchen floor, looking longingly at her empty food bowl. She stares at me with pitiful brown eyes.
“I just fed you and you know it, little miss.” Francine chuckles beside me, and Stevie takes her sad eyes off of her empty bowl just long enough to notice that we have a guest. “Now you be nice to Francine.”
Stevie stands up and approaches cautiously as Francine crouches down, extending a careful hand. Stevie sniffs Francine’s hand, gives it a tentative lick, and sniffs again. By thethird round of sniffs and licks Stevie’s tail starts to wag and her whole body wags with it. She barrels against Francine’s chest and Francine sprawls on the floor, petting her and letting Stevie lick her face.
“Stevie, settle,” I call to my dog, who ignores me in favor of her new friend. “Stevie!”
“Stevie, can you sit?” Francine asks calmly, and my traitor of a dog sits. “Good girl.”
“Traitor.” I mutter under my breath, stepping into the pantry to pack up food and treats for my girl. When I step back into the kitchen, Francine is cross legged on my floor, Stevie curled up in her lap.
“How’d you get your name, cutie pie?” Francine asks, kissing the top of Stevie’s head as she pets her.
“My great great grandfather on my mother’s side, Stefanos. He immigrated to Canada from Greece in the…”
“I meant the dog.” Francine’s eyes meet mine for a heated moment, before turning back to Stevie.
“I named her after the Union’s captain when I was growing up. Seemed fitting.”
“I wondered,” a slow smile overtakes Francine’s face, this time reaching her eyes. “And I’m not at all surprised. Tell me more about great great grandpa Stefanos sometime, though. For now, tell me about Stevie.”
“She likes walks, she gets fed twice a day, she drinks more water than seems normal, but don’t worry that you’re giving her too much. I’m going to send her bed but I doubt she’ll sleep in it. She sleeps in my bed most nights, you don’t have to let her sleep in yours…what?” Francine is watching me, a smile on her face that I might call…fond? “What’s that face?”
“Nothing,” she shakes her head, still smiling. “You clearly love her, and I hope you know that I’m honored you trust me to take care of her.”
“I really appreciate you watching her.” More than that, it feels like we’re taking a step in a new direction, and I don’t know if I can handle the implications of that right now.
CHAPTER 7
A DECISION TO MAKE
