I smirk. “No. I was thinking of a big dog. Something like a boxer or a shepherd that barks loudly.” I’m serious, but Edith doesn’t seem as enthused by the idea.
“Jack, neither of us is home very much.” I sit down on the bed next to her and she curls into my lap.
“I’m home for dinner most nights, and you’re home now.” I think this is a reasonable thing, but she keeps trying to throw reasons in the way of it.
She looks up at me, dark eyes pleading. “But I won’t be once I resume classes in January. A dog is a huge undertaking.”
“They only need food and water, and we have a big backyard.”
“If I tried walking him, he’d probably drag me down the street.”
“But he’d also protect you if someone unknown came near you.”
“So that’s what this is about.”
“What? Yes, I want you safe, but a dog would be a great companion for when I have to take business trips during the semester.” I don’t get why she’s so against it.
“We’re not getting a dog, Jack. I still jump at my own shadow. I don’t want a dog that will only scare the shit out of me when I’m having a bad day.” Edith gets off my lap and walks into the closet. I follow her.
“Why are you being so defensive? It’s just a dog.” She’s starts to violently push through hangers, ignoring me. I see we’re going to have a fight about this. “I don’t understand the big deal. I had dogs growing up.” I throw my hands up in the air. This would be the perfect answer. She would have a companion, and I would know that she was safe when I wasn’t here.
Turning her head, she glares at me, a defeated look in her eyes. “Yeah, so did I, Jack, and it didn’t exactly turn out so well.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? I don’t want a dog.”
“Apparently. Please explain it to me like I’m an idiot then.” Exasperated, I grab my own clothes as Edith turns to me, raising her arm above her head.
“We had dogs when I was a kid. My dad had no business owning dogs with a toddler in the house.”
“Jesus, Edith. I didn’t know.”
She takes a step closer to me, almost daring me to look away. She points to her
arm. “One day, my dad had forgotten to feed Charger, sending me out there with his food bowl. Unfortunately, my dad hit him and only fed him when the money was good, so Charger was aggressive.” I’m shaking my head, trying to get her to stop. “Anyway, as I was bringing him the food, I tripped down the steps too close to where he was chained up. He bit my arm real good. The only mark left are these thin scars, but I’ll never forget screaming, thinking he was going to rip my arm off.”
I see the thin, silver lines under her arm that travel from inside her elbow to her armpit. In all the times I saw her naked, I’d never noticed them before. “What happened after?”
“Luckily, my mother was somewhat sober that day and wrapped my arm up, dousing it in peroxide…or maybe it was alcohol. I don’t remember, except for the smell and the burning sensation.”
“Wait. They didn’t take you to the hospital? No stitches?” Now that I can see the scars clearly, there’s a spidery quality to them, and I can’t imagine the pain and neglect she suffered by her parents.
Edith chuckles, like I asked a crazy question. “With what money? Stitches would have cost a fortune with no insurance. My dad said it was my fault and I deserved what I got. I’m lucky my mother had some first aid skills.”
“Edith, honey…” I try to hold her, but she backs away.
“Please Jack. Go for your run. I’ll call the two dynamos and ask them to lunch.”
As she walks into the bathroom, shutting the door and starting the shower, I’m gutted. I feel like an asshole for suggesting the dog, but this is another prime example of how little we know about each other.
Chapter Sixteen
Edith
“So who’s ready to party it up in Miami in a few days?” I ask Aiden and Shelby, who join Jack and me at the Grease Lounge. Shelby slides into the seat across from me, Aiden following. Aiden adjusts his glasses, as Shelby slips her winter jacket off, dumping it in the corner of the booth, tossing her blonde braid over her shoulder.
“I am. These biology and chemistry classes are kicking my ass.” Aiden grabs the menu I hold out to him, flipping to the burger section. I already know he’s going to order a double bacon cheeseburger, cheese fries with gravy on the side.