Page 89 of Mommy

Next to me, the male gets into his car. The engine roars to live and so does my anger.

No fucking way. Not again.

I remember how scared Posie was and my rage peaks, the motorcyle beneath me lurching back into movement as I speed after the sorry little fuck that’s about to try and roll away from the situation.

I’m in front of him in a second, forcing him to stop short.

I take all the time I want, strolling over to the driver side of the car.

The man lets his car window roll down, about ready to yell at me when I pull my gun out of the back of my jeans and hold it up against his forehead

My visor is still up, muffling my voice, but I’m sure he understands me well.

“Give me one reason to shoot.”

His mouth opens and closes and opens and closes again. Again. Again. And once more.

That’s what I thought.

“Better.” I nod. “Now get out of the car.”

He does as instructed, and follows me back to the parking lot he just came from.

The dog whines underneath the bench, a little ball of fear and darkness.

“On your knees.”

The male shudders but doesn’t dare say a word.

“Give me the leash.”

He unties the knot, handing me the loose end, and even though the dog didn’t move an inch, I immediately feel better.

“Any last words?” I ask as I push his face into the light of the streetlamp with the barrel of the gun.

“Please, I can’t care for him anymore. I had no other choice.”

Excuses and lies.

They awaken my anger again.

No other choice?

As if leaving a scared animal behind in the dark isn’t the worst possible choice one could make.

“Surrendering him to a shelter would have been a better choice.”

I don’t wait for another excuse before I pull the trigger.

Was that impulsive?

Maybe.

Was I irrational because I’m in a weird headspace because Ivory cried?

Probably.

But I can’t offer an ounce of regret as I tuck my gun away and crouch down, slowly coaxing the dog from its hiding spot beneath the bench. It’s dark, so I’m not sure if it’s a youngling or just a small breed. Only once the dog reaches the soft glow of the street light, I can make out more, and⁠—