A Hole in the Universe - Mary McGarry Morris [154]
“No, my sister-in-law.”
“Oh yeah, the one with the kids, a boy and a girl, right?”
“Yes, well, I better go in and get ready.” He started toward the house.
“Get ready for what? She having a party or something?”
“No, just dinner.”
She picked up the puppy and climbed the steps after him. “You should get a dog. I’ll bet you’d like that. It’s nice to hold them, and the way they love you and stuff,” she said as the puppy licked her chin.
“It wouldn’t be fair to the dog, having to be alone all day.”
“Oh, yeah, where you working now? I see you leave early, but you don’t get home till after six usually.”
“Yes. It’s a new job.”
“Where?”
“You probably never heard of it.” He put his hand on the knob. “Well, I’d better get busy. I’ve got quite a few things to do in here.” If he opened the door, she’d be right in after him.
“Too bad about the old . . . about Mrs. Jukas, huh?”
“Yes. It’s a terrible thing. Poor woman.”
“Well, don’t feel too bad. She hated you almost as much as me and my mother.”
“She didn’t hate me,” he said quickly.
“Well, she was a bitch—to me, anyway. Like I’m some piece of . . . crap. Like I don’t have feelings or something.” She looked up at him, and for a moment he was afraid she might cry.
“I better go get ready.”
“You’re still mad at me! I told you, I was scared, that’s all. That’s what happened that time.” She gestured up toward the second floor.
“Yes. Well. I understand.”
“No, you don’t. You think I’m some kinda little slut or something. Well, I’m not! I’m a good person. I am!”
“Yes. Of course. I know you are.”
“Then how come we’re not friends anymore? Ever since that night you won’t even talk to me.”
“We’re friends.” He cringed. That night. Even the way she said it was an indictment. “See? Here, take this. It’s for you.” He handed her one of the roses.
“Thanks,” she said, grinning.
Once inside, he hurried upstairs. He was supposed to be at Dennis’s at six for dinner, and it was four forty-five. He was unbuttoning his shirt when loud voices rose from the street. He looked out the window and saw two young men, shouting and running toward Jada. The shorter man, burly and bald, grabbed her while the other tried to pull the dog from her. Jada kicked and shrieked for them to let her go. The burly man was behind her with his hairy forearm across her throat. Yelping, the dog ran in circles while the second man tried to grab his leash.
“What are you doing?” Gordon demanded as he ran into the street.
“She took my dog! This is my dog!” The second man had finally gotten the leash.
“Leave her alone!” Gordon ordered. The man still gripped Jada’s neck.
“She’s a fucking thief,” the man shouted as if to justify his hold on the skinny girl. “She came and took him right outta the yard.”
“I don’t care what the hell she did. Let go of her,” Gordon growled, advancing on him.
He released her, and Jada rubbed her neck with both hands. Up on the porch, Marvella Fossum peered down from the doorway.
“It’s not his dog!” Jada cried. She grabbed for the dog, and the man pushed her back.
“What are you, nuts? It’s my dog!” he said, lifting his chin from the puppy’s lapping tongue.
“Jada.” Gordon moved closer until he was between her and the men. “He says it’s his. Is it?”
“No! It’s mine!”
“She says it’s hers.”
“Hey, look, I ain’t got time for this. It’s my dog,” the man said, backing off, the exuberant puppy in his arms. “And if you got a problem with that, then you do something about it. You hear what I’m saying?”
“It’s not your dog, you fucking asshole!” Jada screamed, and now the burly