That happy image sealed the deal. “I’ll take him,” I said. “If I can.”
“You absolutely can,” Poppy said. “That stupid husband of yours. Why are men like that?”
“How’s yours, by the way?” I asked.
“Oh, he’s wonderful,” she said, her face melting at the thought of him. “He’ll be so glad I ran into you.” She opened the kennel, and Zeus leaped up, suddenly energized. I knelt, and he licked my face with great enthusiasm, his backside swaying with the force of his wags. His ears were silky and his muzzle was velvet.
We were in love.
Zeus was three years old; his head was as hard and square as a concrete block. His coat was silky and short, and I was fairly sure I could ride him, since he came up to my hip. That tail could leave welts, I thought as I let him into my car, but hey. Death by tail wags was not a bad way to go.
I stopped at Petco and bought an invisible fence system, a red leash and collar, dog food, dog treats, dog shampoo, a dog bed and a brush, which I tested on him, since they allowed doggies in the store. He crooned when I ran the brush down his back, and I couldn’t help smiling.
“Sit, Zeus,” I said, and he did! Brilliant dog! I took a picture, texted it to Dylan with the words You have a new brother. Meet Zeus. I got him today from the shelter and he’s the new love of my life.
A second later, his answer came. Wow! He’s awesome, Mom! Can’t wait to meet him at Christmas!
Four long months away. But you know what? My son sounded delighted, and the dog was so cute, smiling away at everyone who passed, wagging and wagging. Today was my lucky （if expensive） day. But I knew Zeus would be worth it.
“Right, boy?” I asked, bending over.
He agreed, licking my face, and we went to the front of the store to pay for all his stuff.
* * *
Three days later, Zeus lay sprawled on the couch, taking up most of it, his head in Beth’s lap as she stroked his ears while I took a tray of stuffed clams out of the oven. She might have a five-star rating on Yelp, but she loved my food. Wanda was here as well—my two closest friends.
“Who’s a beautiful boy?” Wanda crooned. “You are, Zeus. Yes, you are!” His tail thumped in agreement.
“God, it’s so nice not to cook,” Beth called. “Thanks for having us over. Do you mind passing me some clams? I’d do it myself, but I can’t disturb this handsome guy.”
“I understand,” I said. “Plus, he just got a bath, so he’s extra silky.” I served the clams out with little plates and forks, refilled Beth’s wineglass—Wanda was on call tonight—and topped off my own.
“How’s Dylan?” Wanda asked.
“Struggling. Brad is insisting—” At that moment, the phone rang. I looked at it, my mood falling. “Speak of the devil, and the devil appears.”
“Ooh, answer it,” Beth said. “Put him on speaker. We want to hear his New Age language.”
I obeyed. “What?” I demanded. He still had belongings here, and the divorce agreement said he had six months to come get them before I could set them on fire, or sell them, or give his precious leather jacket, bought after the “launch” of his book, to a homeless person.
“Lillie, hello. How are you?” he asked.
Wanda’s face scrunched in horror at his sappy tone, and Beth mimicked throwing up.
“None of your business,” I said. “What do you want?”
“Can you say something to Dylan? He’s really shut down about Melissa.”
“Yeah. Because she ruined our family. You and she killed our son’s family. Of course he’s shut down.”
“You’re not helping, Lillie,” Brad said. “She’s a kind woman.”
Wanda raised her hands in incredulity while Beth silently gave him the finger.
“Brad, tell me, how does a kind woman justify stealing someone else’s husband and causing a boy to lose respect for his father? She’s a mother, isn’t she? Wouldn’t it bother her if someone ruined her daughter’s family?”
“Ophelia is her niece,” Brad said, unperturbed. “She took her in because Ophelia’s mother has narcotics abuse disorder. Melissa is incredibly generous, and so good-hearted. Really, Lillie. You’ll love her once you get to know her better.”
Beth mimicked cocking a shotgun.
“No, Brad! I won’t! I hate her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” my ex-husband said. “Hatred is so corrosive, and the only true victim is you. You could look at this a different way, Lillie. We could all be friends.”