Anyway, the store had this assortment of bobbleheads at the checkout. I got one for the white Honda lady. She probably wouldn’t even use it. It was probably going to end up in a donation bin or in some white elephant gift exchange next year, but it was too perfect not to grab. I left it on her tire.
I let Doobie get his zoomies out in the little dog run off the courtyard. Then I walked him until he pooped. I’d just cleaned it up and was about to head in when someone came up behind me. “Can I pet your dog?”
I turned and to my surprise it was the woman from the elevator. She stood there, the setting sun at her back, holding her sandals.
It might seem a little melodramatic, but she felt like a fairy or a spirit standing there. The flowers were all in bloom and butterflies were floating around, and this beautiful, ethereal woman appears out of nowhere.
“Sure,” I said, trying not to stare. “I’ll hold him so he doesn’t get your skirt muddy. Sorry, he’s still learning not to jump.”
“It’s okay,” she said, crouching. “If I get dirty, I get dirty. I don’t really care today.”
I looped a finger in his collar to keep him from pummeling her anyway. He wiggled and cried, and she scratched under his chin. “What’s his name?”
“Doobie.”
She smiled up at me. “That’s a good name. A good name for a good boy.”
I watched her play with him for a minute. She had on a jade bracelet.
I cleared my throat. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
She talked to me but looked at him. “I don’t live here. I’m just visiting family.”
“Oh. Me too.”
“What kind of dog is he?” she asked.
“I think he’s a Lab mix. I’m not really sure; I rescued him.”
She pivoted to look at me. “Oh. My sister volunteers at a few rescues. Which one?”
“None, I found him. He was abandoned in an empty apartment.”
“Oh my God.” She looked at him with pity. “And you kept him?”
“I did. Not my job to question the dog distribution system.”
She laughed. Then she noticed my arm. “What happened there?”
I twisted my elbow to look at the welt. “Occupational hazard. I was knocking down a hornet’s nest at work. One of them got me.”
“Ouch.”
“Better me than a little old lady.”
She smiled. Then she sat back on her heels and dug in the small purse she had on. “Here. It’s prescription cortisone.”
Doobie was calmer now, so I let go of his collar to take it. The second I wasn’t holding him up, he rolled onto his back so she could rub his belly.
She looked down at him with hearts in her eyes. “He’s so sweet,” she said.
I put a pea-size amount on the sting. “Do you have any pets?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s hard when you live alone.”
“I live alone too. But I work where I live, so I can check on him.” I handed the tube back to her.
“Keep it. In case you need to save any more old ladies.”
“Ha. Thanks.” I slipped it into my pocket.
“It’s pretty swollen,” she said.
I pressed on the walnut-size welt. “It hurts too. It’s hard as hell.”
“It’s actually hard as hail,” she said. “Did you know that? I just learned that today.”
“Is it? I guess it makes sense. Did you know that when someone says ‘Break a leg’ to an actor, it’s because they’re hoping they end up in a cast?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Is that true?”
I was smiling. “I don’t know. I would definitely fact-check me.”
She looked amused at my joke.
“Did you know that the first episode of a show is called a pilot because it’s the first time it’s on the air?” she asked.
“Really,” I deadpanned.
“Really. But I would definitely fact-check me too.”
I laughed and it made her laugh. We shared this small moment, and we held each other’s gaze for a split second. Then she looked away from me and stood up. “Thanks for letting me play with him. It’s been a rough day. I needed it.” She slipped her sandals on.
“Yeah.”
She stood there for a beat. “Have a good night.” Then she turned and started walking back to the building.
Somebody told me once that it only takes a few minutes to know if you like someone. That our initial impression is usually the right one. I liked her. I had the strongest urge to call after her and ask her name, ask for her number, ask her to coffee. I almost did it. I was so close.