Hope(less) (Judgement of the Six #1)

“Yep. Sorry to leave you on your own so soon. I’ll be back around five. If you need anything, just call my cell. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I’ll get back to you.” She filled a travel mug with the coffee she made and rinsed out the pot. “Oh, when I went to bed Clay whined at your door so I let him in. Hope that was okay…”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I agreed. What else was I supposed to say without sounding weird or bitchy? Inspiration to pay him back for his sneaky method struck. “Did you think of taking him to a vet at all?”

Rachel paused mid-rinse. “Oh, I hadn’t, but you’re right. He should probably go if we’re going to have him in the house with us. I’ll call around and make an appointment. I should check into getting him licensed too. Ugh. Getting him shots is probably going to cost a fortune.” She looked at me pleadingly.

Darn idea to get back at him would cost me money. “Yeah, I’ll go in halves.” I got up and started back toward my room.

“Great. Talk to you tonight,” she called as she went out the back door, closing it behind her.

Clay still lay on my bed, taking up the full width with his back paws folded in toward his stomach so they wouldn’t fall off. I stood in the doorway studying him while he watched me. Alone in the house together, we needed to set some rules.

Once the sound of Rachel’s car faded, I said, “First, I’d like to clarify that this does not qualify as getting to know each other. Second, you smell like wet dog. If you want to continue sleeping in my room, on my bed, you’ll let Rachel give you bath when she gets home.” He snorted at that, but didn’t get off the bed. “Third, once I’m awake, you get out. I know what you are and I am not changing in front of you.”

He outright harrumphed at that one and I swore I saw a canine smile. But he did hop down from the bed and left the room with quiet dignity.

I closed the door behind him and remade the bed, thankful he didn’t appear to shed, and grabbed some clothes for the day. I had two goals. First, I needed to figure out how long it would take me to walk to the campus from here. Then I needed to learn the bus schedule for the days I ran late, or the temperature prevented the long walk. If worst came to worst, I’d buy a beater car to drive.

Opening the door, I was slightly startled to see Clay sitting there patiently waiting for me. “What are you doing?” I eyed him warily, walking past him. I went to the kitchen to grab the house key from the counter. Clay’s nails clicked on the floor as he followed me to the door. “I’m going for a walk and you’re staying here,” I clarified when he made to follow me outside.

Clay growled slightly in response.

His deep growl gave me pause. He sounded scary. “Please don’t do that. Unless you really are trying to scare me.” His fur continued to bristle, but his growl stopped. Our relationship wouldn’t go anywhere if he thought he could bully and maneuver to his way of thinking. “And don’t crab at me. I’m not the unlicensed dog without a leash. “Do you want me to talk Rachel into buying a pink collar for you?”

He coughed out a strangled bark before turning and walking back to the living room. “See you later,” I called out feeling a little smug.

Walking to campus took about forty minutes. After checking the bus schedule and stops, I knew I’d be buying a car before winter. The distance and the number of catcalls I’d received just walking to the campus made buying the car a necessity. A necessity that would put a significant dent in my savings.

On the way back, I stopped at a gas station combination grocery store to pick up some essentials. Browsing, I found a new bar of soap, an extra toothbrush, dog food, and groceries for the week.

Struggling with the bags, it took forever to reach the house. When I finally got there, my arms ached. Next time I needed to remember one of my messenger bags. It made carrying things so much easier. Walking around to the back of the house, I saw Clay lying on the deck sunning himself.

“Nice to know you can let yourself out,” I said walking past him to nudge open the door, kicking it closed behind me. Putting the bags on the table, I began to unpack.

After a sharp bark from outside, I grudgingly turned to let Clay in, closing the door behind him.

“What? Can’t let yourself back in?” I reached in one of the bags on the table. “Look what I got you?” I said pulling out a small bag of dog food.

Clay growled again, but without menace. I set the bag on the floor next to the bowl of water Rachel had set out for him before leaving.

“You want to look like a normal dog don’t you? Well, as normal as a dog your size can look anyway.” I continued unpacking the bags leaving the soap and toothbrush for last. “These are for you. You have two choices. You can use them when Rachel’s gone, or you can wait until she’s back and I’m sure she’d be happy to help you.”