Lost & Found - Jacqueline Sheehan [57]
“Things are happening quicker than I expected,” said Isaiah. “The parents, Jan and Ed Townsend, wanted to come today to get the dog. I hedged and said that we needed to finish up some paperwork at Sam’s office. I talked them into coming tomorrow. And I figured you’d want one more day with the dog.”
“Tomorrow? They’re coming tomorrow?”
This is where normal citizens become renegades, tie bandannas around their head and go on the lam with big dogs. She pictured making a run for it with Cooper-Lloyd, quietly getting in the truck and heading for Canada.
“They’re coming over on the first ferry. I know this is hard for you, but let’s not forget what they’re going through. This dog is their last connection to their daughter. You understand that, don’t you, about trying to stay connected to someone who has died? I’ll bring them by your place.”
“You’re bringing them to my place? I think we’re making a mistake. Just because Cooper was Liz’s dog, that doesn’t mean this is the best solution. Why can’t we try to do what’s best for the dog?”
“Or do you mean what’s best for you? Let me ask you, Rocky. Does it help to have someone tell you the best way to remember a daughter who has died, or a husband? This is not our call. I’m sorry. I know you’ve gotten attached to the dog,” he said and his voice softened. “We’ll come by after the first ferry.”
Rocky put the phone down and turned to look out the open door. She saw Cooper leisurely delivering little spurts of urine. Her chest tightened as she pictured strangers coming to get him. She pictured a possible life for him with people who didn’t care about him. They lived right in Providence, in the city, and he would become a city dog. She grabbed her jacket and joined the dog. “Come on, big guy. This is going to be a short walk.” They headed down the trail to the beach. When they returned twenty minutes later, Rocky loaded water and food for the dog into the truck, along with an exuberant Cooper and drove to Tess’s house.
Tess lived a full five minutes away by car. Nothing was far away on the island, except maybe the newer houses on the interior of the island, where developers had cleared trees and built new houses in remarkably mosquito-ridden areas. Rocky and Cooper jumped out of the truck. Rocky knocked on the kitchen door, and seeing Tess inside she pushed open the door.
“We’ve got trouble. How long does it take to drive to Orono? Elizabeth Townsend’s people are coming up from Providence because they think Lloyd, I mean Cooper, is Liz’s dog. They’re coming to get him. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Tess had not been awake long. She had told Rocky that she slept with the seasons and this time of year called for greater slumber, more time in the retreat of soft pillows and comforters filled with a long night of body heat. Tess’s hair was still in a state of eruption and the skin on her face held wrinkles from the night. It looked like she had slept in the gray stretch-pants she was wearing. Rocky smelled cooked cereal.
Tess ran her hands through her hair. “His name is Cooper? Green and blue letters, robust form. Probably fit him better when he was a puppy. And why are we going to Orono?”
“I found a vet who thinks Liz was one of her clients. She says she’d remember Liz’s dog,” said Rocky.
“And do you want to find out about the dog or about Liz? Because you’re starting to sound obsessed.”
“I told you, this is about the dog. How long does it take to drive to Orono?” Rocky asked again.
“It takes about two and a half hours, three depending on your bladder. When are you going?”
“Now,” said Rocky. “We need to go now. I want you to come with me. They’re coming for the dog tomorrow morning and I don’t want to let him go without checking out his identity. He could just be another abandoned dog. He doesn’t have to belong to this woman who killed herself.” Rocky thought she saw sympathy flicker across the older woman’s face and the sight of it made Rocky step back.
“What? Don’t you want to go? I just thought you…”
“I like this dog too. But you’re on a life-and-death