Page 28 of Not Mine To Love

“We’re going to do what here?” He looked around as if he wished he was anywhere else but there. I had forgotten that my dad wasn’t really an animal person. Nor was I. I liked animals a lot, I just didn’t like having to take care of them. That sounded too hard.

“Getting a cat.”

“A cat. I don’t want a cat.”

“Dad, we just had this conversation ten minutes ago. It’ll be nice to have a pet.”

“Nice for who? I’m fine without one.”

“Come on, Dad. Let’s go look at some fluffy animals.” I pulled him toward the entrance.

“No thanks…”

“You said you wanted to come along…”

“Not to the pound…”

“Daaaaadddddd,” I whined and could see that he was giving in.

“Alright, let’s go see these rejects.”

“Dad!”

He laughed and tossed an arm around my shoulder as we went in.

Less than fifteen minutes later, we were heading back to the car.

I couldn’t take it. The smell. The sounds. The absolute sadness. “That was traumatizing. All those animals needing homes.”

“I told you, but you didn’t listen to me. I told you it would be depressing.”

“You were right.”

“I’m your dad, I’m always right,” he said, climbing into the driver’s seat.

“Come on, Dad. Let me drive.”

“Your driving frightens me.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re welcome.”

I tossed him the keys and let him drive. It gave me time to think.

“Dad, have you ever thought about getting married again?”

His eyes got big, and he started to have a coughing fit. It was a good thing we were at a red light.

“Married? God no.” He shuddered, and I laughed. “Why? Are you thinking about it?”

Now it was time for my eyes to grow wide. “What? No. Definitely not. I think I’m just going to be a bachelorette forever.”

He shook his head. “You’re young.”

“You were too.”

“Don’t remind me,” he said with a soft laugh. And then his voice grew serious. “That’s the life I chose, but don’t get me wrong; if I had met someone else, someone who made my heart go pitter patter, I might have walked down the aisle again.”