The sunlight showed through the curtains slightly, jarring me out of my sleep. Looking over, Kirby was sitting at the foot of my bed snoring soundly. He was most likely dreaming of running through a field of flowers or something peaceful of that nature. I wish I could live a life that is carefree and reckless, but sadly as an adult, I had responsibilities that included feeding this gremlin dog.
Kicking my foot slightly I nudged Kirby awake. ¨Kirbyyyy babbyyyy...It's time to get up! We have a long day ahead of us...." He stretched out his forepaws and opened his mouth, yawning big enough to expose a mouth full of dirty teeth. ´I should really brush his teeth here soon...´ I let the thought dissipate as we both crawled out of bed.
Moving slowly towards the bathroom Kirby trotted behind me joyfully. It was as if Kirby was yelling ´Good morning mommy! I missed you so much! Did you miss me?!´ I love making up dialogue and talking back to him, it made the days go by faster sometimes, and less lonely. My face looked so dull and tired, withered by age and exhaustion. Something even sleep couldn´t fix, I really wish it could though, I hate the bags underneath my eyes. The cold water splashing against my face provided a welcome relief as if it took away some of the exhaustion as it swirled down the drain.
¨Maybe today is our day Kirby. What do you think?¨ I looked down at Kirby while drying my face with an old bathroom towel. He looked up at me as if I were crazy, cocking his head slightly wondering what I was on about. ¨All right, all right. You know me too well, maybe things won´t go our way but we can still make the best of it.¨ He huffed slightly as we both made our way out of the cramped apartment bathroom. ¨ Let's get dressed!!! Lets getttt dressseddd!!!" Kirby began jumping excitedly as we danced down the hallway. I threw on a pair of tattered jeans as they were the only clean pair I had for today and a light blue t-shirt. Kirby sat as I put on his booties with a little bucket hat that snapped around his ears and chin. They had little duckies on them! How cute is that?!
I snatched my keys off the entryway table along with Kirby's leash as we made our way out the front door. Locking the door behind me we made our way down to the car, as it was my first day off in a while we were making our way to the dog park. My friend Missy and her dog Peanut were meeting us there. Peanut and Kirby are ´in a relationship´ as me and Missy joke about often. Whenever we go to the dog park if Peanut isn't there he always throws such a fit.
The sun was peeking at us through the trees as we made our way down the street in my old beat-up car. Flickering through the branches to let us know another day is here regardless if we like it or not. Kirby was dancing in his seat as we neared the park, eager to see his girlfriend Peanut again. Peanut was a young blonde lab full of pure puppy energy.
Kirby practically mowed me down when I opened up the door to let him out once we parked. ¨let me out mom! I need to play dammit!" I imagined him yelling as he ran across the field towards Missy and Peanut, leaving me behind like always.
¨Heyyyyy!!!!!" Missy yelled at me across the field waving both arms high in the air, unfazed by the dirty looks she got from the other dog parents at her sudden outburst. I ran across the field to join Missy and the dogs, Kirby might be older but he still has energy for Peanut.
¨Hey Missy. I swear this dog is gonna be the death of me someday. Didn´t even care to look for cars when he ran across the parking lot like that. Careless he´ll be till the end I guarantee it." Missy laughed and threw her arm around my shoulder. ¨Ah phooey, that's just dogs. When they get excited there is nothing stopping them. How ya been chickadee? I haven´t seen ya in ages. I´ve missed ya. Been lonely at the dog park when it's just me and Peanut. Granted she finds others to play with but she really loves her boyfriend Kirby.¨ She jokingly nudged me while giggling slightly at her comment.
She was always one for her bubbly personality, one of the main reasons I love her so much. No matter how bad a day might be going she always knows how to cheer me up. ¨I know, I know! Work has been killer this last little bit. Seems like everyone is wanting to get into car accidents recently. The paperwork they are throwing at me is ridiculous. And dealing with the insurance companies isn´t any easier." Missy gave me her iconic side glance, hand on her hip with knives of judgment raining down.
¨I don´t know how many times I have told you to quick that damn office. They don´t nearly pay you enough for the work you do. It's ridiculous!¨ We both went to sit on a nearby bench, looking out at the dogs playing around almost effortlessly in the spring grass. ¨ Trust me, Missy I know, the only problem is finding another job. I would love to quit, I just can´t afford it right now." Missy was quick to put her hand on my thigh, comforting me with a soft gaze.
¨Clara if you needed help all you needed to do was ask. I can help you look for a job, hell I can see if we have any openings at my job over on the north side of town.¨ The idea of working with my friend Missy was great, I doubt we would get much done though. We would be joking and playing around the office most likely. ¨I think it might be a bit of a far drive Missy, a great thought though.¨ I trailed off staring off at the dogs once more.
Missy is always the type of friend to puts others first, regardless of her feelings. She would give me the last pair of shoes she owned if I told her I needed some. ¨I promise Missy, I will look around town somewhere close to the apartment." She moved her hand off my thigh and huffed in disappointment.
¨Ok finnneeee, but at least keep me updated on the progress ok. And of course, let me know if you need help! I can look around online if you need me.¨ I smirked slightly and stood up, grabbing my belongings. ¨I will I promise, thank you, Missy. You are the best.¨ She stood to give me a hug knowing our time was coming to a close. ¨Take care of yourself, Clara, don´t take as long to come back to see me ok?¨ I nodded in agreement before calling Kirby to the car. We waved goodbye as I jumped into the car with Kirby and fastened our seat belts.
¨Did you have fun, Kirby? Did you enjoy playing with your girllllfrrrieeenddd?!¨ I rustled the fur atop his head before pulling out of the parking lot. He was panting, head out of the window barking his goodbyes to Peanut. On the drive back to the apartment I couldn't help but think about the note again. I really should have brought it up in the conversation but I didn't want to worry Missy.
She already worries about me, I don't want to give her something else to stress over. We rounded the corned back into the apartment parking lot, home sweet home. Time for popcorn, wine, and movies with Kirby. The perfect day off, letting him run off the energy and then lazy for the rest of the day.
We ran up the steps and toward the door of the apartment when Kirby stopped short. There was the man from the diner standing in front of the door, unmoving like a statue. His face was so close to the door that he might as well have been kissing the damn thing. Just as I was about to turn to go back to the car he chimed up a quiet hello.
¨Hello....sorry to scare you, I wanted to wait until you got home.¨ He slowly turned towards me with a timid smile, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans. He slightly shuffled his feet from side to side nervously looking up at me quickly before looking back at the ground.
¨I apologize but do I know you? Do you need something?¨ I held Kirby's leash tight, ready to book it if needed. This was making me uneasy, today was going so well too.
¨I needed to talk to you. Can I come in and sit for a moment?¨ He gestured toward the front door slightly. His face still holding the timid smile and pursed lips. I started inching back toward the stairs.¨ No, please...I can explain I promise....¨ He reached out towards Kirby and me pleading.
Kirby was bouncing on his hind legs ready to pounce, sensing the danger. ¨I don´t know what we have to talk about. I think it best that you leave.¨ Hearing the barking my neighbor poked his head out quizzically.
¨Hey Clara everything ok? I heard the barking and wanted to check things out....¨ His head peeked around the corner to look at the strange man standing in my doorway. ¨Hey man is everything ok? It looks like she doesn't quite want you here, is there a problem?¨ He walked out of his door chest puffed out towards the man. He stood a tall 5´9¨ with pale skin, blue eyes, and ears that seemed to stick out.
¨It´s ok, I was just leaving.¨ The man slowly made his way around Alec. When his eyes met mine it was as if ice pierced through my veins, shaking me to my very core. Alec kept himself between us, one arm outstretched back towards Kirby and I protectively.
The man trudged down the steps sulkily before disappearing around the corner. I let out a sigh of relief then, it felt as if i held my breathe through the entire interaction with the man. My heart was beating uncontrollably as I gasped for air, hunching over and clutching my knees. I felt nauseos, dizzy, and overwhelmed with the situation.
¨Hey, lets go ahead and get you inside....do you want to come into mine or need me to grab anything for you. Are you ok?¨ I felt his hand on my back, it was so warm and comforting. In the midst of a panic attack I am still highly aware of the heat permiating through my shirt, making me blush slightly as I breathed in the warm spring air. I shuffled to gather my thoughts before standing upright.
¨I will be ok, promise. ¨ I managed a quick smile in this direction as I turned towards my front door. ¨Thanks for that by the way, I don´t know what I would do without you Alec, seriously.¨ I grasped the keys in the pocket of my tattered jeans, trying my best to hide the shakes of anxiety riddling through my body. He gladly accepted the compliment and retreated back into his apartment.
¨How do you feel about a nap Kirb?¨ Kirby trotted inside of our apartment and flopped himself on the floor. ¨Ahead of the game, good boy..... ughhhh....¨ I groaned as I kicked off my sneakers by the door. I ran and jumped into my bed then, wrapping myself in my blankets before taking a deep breathe, finally relaxed and ready for this day to be over. The funny part being its not even noon, I had an entire day planned just for it to ruined by some random.
¨Tomorrow will be better, it has to be better. We can do this Kirb....¨