Every now and then, he’d growl at nothing — a chair leg, a shifting shadow… the crime of me existing.
“He’s just getting used to things,” Marlene said while scratching behind his ears. “Aren’t you, sweet boy? You’re such a brave little protector!”
I just nodded and smiled.
After supper, I got ready for another late shift at the hospital.
“You really shouldn’t work such odd hours,” Marlene said as I tossed a pack of cheese crackers in my bag for later.
“It comes with the job,” I replied. “People needing emergency surgery don’t wait till morning.”
She gave a sharp little “hmph” and set Rusty’s supper on the floor.
I let it slide and left for work.
When I got back hours later, Rusty growled as I headed upstairs, but scurried to his bed when I gently told him to quiet down.
I fell into bed next to my husband, exhausted.
