Zelda and Zeus sit beside me, waiting for me to take them out to play fetch. Zhen lays on his bed, looks over to me, and puts his head down again. I stand and walk over to him, crouching down. “Hey, boy. You okay?” He wags his tail and gives me a lick. “Yeah, I know. You’re tired.” A tear escapes, because I know Zhen won’t be with me for too much longer. He’s really old, but he’s been the best dog anyone could ask for. When Dylan and I bought our Labradors, Zelda and Zeus, Zhen took to them and protected them while I trained them. “You want to come outside and play?” I ask Zhen. He stands and slowly makes his way out to the backyard. Zelda and Zeus playfully run into each other, and wrestle.
Zhen goes to the back deck of our home, and lays on his outdoor bed.
I watch as he watches us, then slowly closes his eyes. I know any day now, he won’t reopen them, and that’ll tear me apart. Zhen has been so important in my survival, and although I now have Zelda and Zeus, I know no other dog will ever be able to come close to how amazing he’s been. He’s always been there, never being a diva or wanting all the attention on him, he’s just been there.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Dylan calls as he comes out to the back deck. Zhen lifts his head, wags his tail then lowers his head ahead. “Hey, Zhen. You okay, boy?” Dylan feels it too.
I throw the ball for Zelda and Zeus a few times before I return up to the deck to sit with Dylan and Zhen. Dylan leans over and gives me a kiss. “How was your day?” I ask.
Dylan rolls his eyes, and shrugs. “Some clients are so damn stupid. But, other than that, it’s our wedding anniversary. And I can’t wait for tonight.” He grabs me and pulls me onto his lap, and begins to kiss down my neck, making my eyes roll back and my body totally relax into him. “How was your day?”
“Hmmm,” I mumble enjoying his kisses. I sigh, and look down to Zhen and smile. “I’m so grateful he’s still here with us, but I know it’s any day now.”
“He’s been so loyal, and faithful. I just hope he says goodbye before he goes.” I notice Dylan’s eyes tearing up. He’s always loved Zhen, from the moment he met him. And Zhen has always loved Dylan too.
I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket, and I move so I can get it. I look at the screen and see David’s name. “David,” I say to Dylan. “Hey,” I answer the call.
“I know it’s your wedding anniversary, but I need you.”
“Today?” I want to say no, but I understand the importance too.
“Yeah, like now.”
“You have to go to work?” Dylan asks in a low voice. I catch a tinge of disappointment in his voice. I nod, and grimace.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“It’s okay.” Dylan smiles.
I stand and walk back into the house. “We’ll be right there,” I sigh. “Give me fifteen.”
“Thank you. And tell Dylan I’m sorry.”
I smile. “Yeah, I already have.” I hang up and whistle. Zelda and Zeus both run up to me and sit at my feet. “Come here, girl.” I reach for Zelda’s harness from the hook near the back door, and harness her in. “You look after Dad, and Zhen, okay?” I give Zeus a scratch behind the ears before he runs out the back again. “Door,” I say to Zelda, who goes and sits by the front door, waiting for me. As I walk out, Zhen and Dylan are both walking in. Zhen slowly, Dylan in front. “I’m off to work. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Dylan holds his hand up to stop me from apologizing. “We’ll reschedule.”
“But I feel bad.”
“Don’t. This is how it all works. I understand. Anyway, we still have our party on Saturday. And everyone will be there. It’s fine.” He gives me a kiss and a soft pat on the butt.
“Thank you. I love you,” I say as I clip Zelda’s leash onto her harness.
“Love you too. Come on, boys. Let’s see what there is for dinner,” Dylan says to both Zhen and Zeus.
Zelda and I head out to my car. I open the back door for her. I clip her in, and she lays on the back seat, ready for the quick ride down to the station.
Getting into the car, I back out of the driveway. “AJ, Kate, Neve, are you here?”
I wait a few moments before I feel them all stirring. We’re here. AJ answers for all of them.
“David called. He needs me, I’m not sure if I’m going to need you, but can you stay close?”
We’ve got your back, don’t stress it. Kate replies.
“Neve, you okay?”
I’m tired, but I’m okay.
I pull into my spot under the building, take Zelda out and walk up to the elevator. I swipe my ID tag, and press the button for the floor I work from when David calls.
The door opens, and I head toward David’s office. “Thank you for coming. I’m so sorry that I had to call you.”
I shake my head and dismissively flick my hand to him. “It’s important, so it’s fine. We understand.”
“Okay. Here.” I sit down in his seat, and flick the computer to life. “Shit,” I say as I shake my head.
“Yeah, female, six years old. Amelia is in there with her now, but Juliette isn’t responding to her.”
“Amelia’s in there? Great. We’ll help Juliette.” I lower my hand to pet Zelda. She’s working now, and understands what she has to do. “Anything else I should know? Anything not noted yet?” I quickly review the records. My stomach churns, and I can feel AJ inching closer.
We’re here. We can help.
“I know. But for now, stay where you are, let’s see how Juliette is.”
“No other notes. She’s really withdrawn. Won’t do anything but hug her blanket and keep her eyes down.”
“Okay.” Standing, Zelda and I head to the room I know she’ll be in. I look in through the window, and Amelia is speaking softly with Juliette, but Juliette is sitting in the corner, her legs up and her arms are wrapped around her knees while she clutches the blanket. I stand watching for a moment, trying to assess how I’m going to handle it.
Amelia is trying, but Juliette isn’t responding at all. It’s like she’s switched off.
She’s me.
“I know, Neve. This is how you were.”
Maybe I can help.
“You might be able to. Let’s go in, and see what we can do. Can you hang around for a moment?”
I’ll wait. I know what she’s going through though.
“Zelda, work,” I instruct. Zelda’s posture changes, she becomes more rigid and knows what she has to do.
I knock on the door before walking in with Zelda. Amelia sees me, and smiles. It’s a silent greeting. We’re not here to be social, we’re here to help a little girl who’s come from trauma and abuse.
I head over to the opposite corner from where Juliette is sitting, and sit on the floor. Zelda sits beside me, wagging her tail when she sees Juliette huddled in the corner. “Hi Juliette. My name’s Molly, and this is Zelda.” Zelda wags her tail more. Juliette lifts her eyes, then quickly lowers them again.
Amelia and I have been working together for a while now, and I know what her cues are. Her brows raise, and her lips quickly turn up giving me the confirmation I need.