Come Undone (The Cityscape 1)

During dinner, I admired Mack and Davena’s easy interaction. They touched often, as if Mack was reassuring her of his presence. Once, when he thought we weren’t looking, Mack leaned in and kissed her between bites. She rolled her eyes playfully and I smiled at Bill, but he was looking at his phone.

When we’d settled the check, Mack said, “Don’t worry too much about your mother. Leanore’s always been able to take care of herself. Just remember that she may need emotional support more than she needs money.” He patted me on the back. His words rang true, but unfortunately, emotional support had never been my strong suit. “And if we can be of any service with the house hunt, just call. I’d love to help.”

“Deal,” I agreed.

“Have a great trip,” Bill said as we stepped out onto the sidewalk. He draped his arm over my shoulder and waved as they walked away. “Hey,” he said, ruffling my hair. “Bad news. I have to go back to the office.”

“What?” I asked, looking up at him. “It’s Friday night.”

“I know, it’s ridiculous. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you this weekend.”

“It’s all right,” I said, running my hand down his long forearm. “I just don’t want you to burn out.”

“It’ll all pay off when we buy our new home. Just think, you, me, peace and quiet . . . . It’ll be so nice to get out of the city.”

I opened my mouth to object and closed it again. I reminded myself that Bill worked hard and deserved what he wanted, which was a spacious home in a calm neighborhood. It would be hard for me to adjust to that life after five years in Chicago, but I knew I would eventually adjust. “You’re right. It will pay off then.”

“So you’re good to take the train?” he asked. “I might be late so don’t wait up.”

~

I woke early but left Bill in bed to sleep. He hadn’t come home until well past two in the morning, and I frowned to think of how hard he’d been working. I threw on my rattiest t-shirt and black spandex pants before raking my hair back into a ponytail. As I was grabbing my tennis shoes, Bill turned, muttered something and hugged my pillow to him.

I started out the day with some Madonna and bounced down the street, taking a right, then a left, all the while humming along to Papa Don’t Preach. A few songs in, I yanked the headphones from my ears and pushed into the building. Telltale sounds of a bustling animal shelter pierced the air; high-pitched meows punctured low, deep barks. I’d been volunteering at the shelter twice a month since Bill and I had moved to the area, more if I could manage.

On my way to the back, I stopped at a floor cage to peer inside. “Well you’re new,” I cooed to a miniature-sized black and caramel mutt. His big eyes blinked up at me as he sat motionless. “Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.” I righted myself and came face to face with George.

“Morning, Liv.”

“Hi, George. How are things?”

His smiled waned. I knew the answer. Life at the animal shelter could be a lot of things: fun, rewarding, messy, sweet – and quite often, heartbreaking. Though there were no-kill shelters in the area, they got more volunteers than the ones that weren’t. And that wasn’t the fault of the animals. They needed exercise, food and love too, even if they might not last until the end of the week.

“So put me to work then. What’s top of the list today?”

“Eureka needs a walk,” he said, making a face. “She’s been bouncing off the walls all morning, and no one else wants to take her.”

I laughed. “That’s why I’ve got my tennies,” I said, curling my leg up. “Bring it on.”

Once I heard the emphatic clicking of four sets of toenails against the concrete, I braced myself. Eureka came flying through the door and stopped short just as she got to me, straining against her leash.

“She’s all yours,” George called over her barking. As I took the leash, she jumped up to lick my face, and then excitedly sniffed my shoes, working her way up to my crotch.

“All right girl, that’s enough,” I said, laughing as I pushed her snout away.

I mustered all the enthusiasm I had and ran her down to Lakefront Trail while fending off her overzealous attempts to french my face. Once we hit the path, we slowed to a walk, and I kept her close as we passed laughing children, zooming cyclists and fellow dogs. When she’d calmed down a bit, we sat to people watch. She excitedly wagged her tail at everyone who looked our way.

“Hey, Liv right?” I heard.

“Hi,” I said, trying to place the man standing over me.

“Rick, from the ballet.”

“Oh, of course, Rick,” I said, recognizing him as Gretchen’s would-be suitor. “What are you up to?”

“Just finishing up a run. Is this your dog?”

“No, no, she’s from the shelter, we’re just getting her some fresh air.”

“Oh. So you volunteer there then?”

“You got it.”

“Well, she’s a cutie.”

“She is, but she has a lot of energy,” I said, waving my hand for emphasis. Just then, Eureka stood up and sniffed Rick’s leg. She sat back and watched him, panting and waiting patiently for him to pet her.

“You know, I had a Pit Bull growing up. I think she might be half,” he commented, examining her. “How old is she?”

“She’s only a year. She should calm down soon, she just has that puppy energy right now.” I watched him stroke her fur and murmur softly. “She also has all her shots,” I added, arching an eyebrow at him.

He looked up and smiled. “I know what you’re getting at. To tell you the truth, getting a dog has crossed my mind, I just worry that I don’t have the time.”

“I can put you in touch with dog walkers, a lot of city dwellers use them. And on the weekends you’d have a running partner.”

He crouched down then and took her face in his hands, rubbing her head. “What’s her name?”

“Eureka.”

“Eureka! That’s great,” he said, laughing. “She is most definitely an Eureka. Well Liv, I’ll give it some thought.”

“That would be great,” I said. “But really think about it. It’s best for everyone if you’re sure.”

“I understand. Where can I find her?”

“Here, give me your information,” I said, handing him my cell phone. “I’ll text you the info. One thing though . . . Eureka has been at the shelter for a few weeks now, and I don’t know how much longer she’ll be around.”

“That’s a good thing right?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head slowly.

“Oh,” he said, running his hand over his chin. “Shit.”

“I know. I’m sorry, no pressure.”

“Eureka, huh,” he said, patting her head.

“You’re single, right?” I asked.

“Yes, in fact I took Gretchen out last week. She’s great, very independent though. So independent that I can’t get her to return my phone calls.”

“She is,” I said with a chuckle. “I’m sorry.”

He waved me off. “Well it was nice talking to you. Text me that info tonight if you can.”

“Will do. Nice to see you, Rick.”

I stood and watched him run off, clasping my hands in hopes that he would come through. Sometimes things were just meant to be, and Rick hitting on Gretchen at the ballet seemed like one of those things. When I looked down, Eureka had wound herself between my legs, ensnaring me in a certified leash trap.

“What are you doing?” I sang, trying to detangle myself. Just then, a small dog across the way started barking and Eureka bolted for her, knocking me on my back. “Eureka!” I screamed, restraining her with every ounce of muscle I had, which apparently, was just enough.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I heard a man’s voice call as he ran over and rounded her up. “Now there’s an expression I haven’t heard in quite some time,” he said, bending over me. Bleached blond locks hung from his handsome, tanned face.

“I’m sorry?”

/>   “Eureka.”

“Oh.” I grinned, taking his outstretched hands and noting how his toned arms flexed from his cut-off tank as he pulled me up. “No, that’s her name.”

“Ah, of course, that makes more sense,” he said with a friendly smile. “Are you all right?”

“I am, just a little embarrassed, thanks.”

“Don’t be, it was a very graceful fall, all things considered.” I blushed and shook my head, noticing his furtive glance at my left hand. “Well, I should take off before I lose my heart rate. Try to be more careful, Eureka!” he called as he ran off.

“We’d better get you back before you kill me or someone else,” I told the dog. We ran all the way back to the shelter, where I gathered her information to send to Rick.