Chapter 9 9: Luther

It’s a bright and beautiful day outside as I walk along the sidewalk headed for the groomers. Fluffy is right beside me, now with a pink bedazzled leash to match his cute little collar, daintily hanging from my wrist.

I just dropped off my blanket at the cleaners and decided to walk to the groomer’s instead of trying to get Fluffy back into that cab. I did think about bringing my car, but after waking up with Fluffy sprawled over me and all my fat rolls and nooks and crannies filled with dirt from that crazy night, I couldn’t bear to put him back in my car, which I will also have to clean.

“Having a dog is messier than I thought it would be,” I tell Fluffy with a grimace. I swear he rolls his eyes at me. I catch a glimpse of myself in the skyscrapers mirror like windows and quickly look away. I really thought I looked cute today in my short jeans and my red flowery blouse tied beneath my tits, but like always, I seem to forget how fat I am. 

“I look like a busted can of biscuits!” I growl at myself. 

Fluffy gives me a look like I’m out of my mind and licks my hand until I shake him off.

My back is really starting to hurt, joining my sore ankle and fighting for dominance of the worst pain in my brain as we reach the groomers. I picked the single most expensive place I could find. Fluffy deserves the best, and Daddy won't even notice the money is gone. It’s the perfect plan. 

I stare at the sign above the door, “A Wolven Retreat”. Perfect!

It occurs to me that it’s odd Seattle has so many wolf-themed businesses, but I shrug it off. In the reflection in the glass, I see a park behind us, small, but with an ice cream vendor and a fountain. That's where I will wait, I think.

I walk through the sliding electric doors with wolves running on them and smile at the lady in bright pink scrubs at the counter. She’s heavyset, older, and looks wise as well as sweet. Lily is the most cuddly grandmother that you’d run to for a hug after a bad day. I take a deep, calming breath, knowing now that my baby boy will be in good hands with her by looks alone.

She doesn’t look up as I walk through the doors. She’s pouring some kind of shampoo into a different bottle with a spray nozzle, her tongue sticking out between her teeth as she tries to focus on not spilling.

“One minute! I’ll be right with you!” she says, giving me a quick wave.

Fluffy lets out what can only be described as an impatient huff of annoyance, and the woman looks up so fast that the reading glasses on her head fall over her eyes and hang on to the tip of her nose.

“My Lord?” she says, then stammers. “My Lord, that is one big dog!” She wipes her hands on her scrubs and hurries around the counter, dropping to her knees in front of Fluffy and petting him vigorously on the neck. She looks up at me, eyes sparkling with glee. “Where on earth did you find him?”

“I found him trapped under a fallen tree in the woods last night. Or was it the night before last? I can’t remember. It’s all a haze. But I know without a doubt he was meant to be with me, and so I’m going to do right by him!” I smile softly, getting on my knees with her and kissing Fluffy on the muzzle.

“Must be fate!” The older woman says, scratching his ears. “It’s not often you hear about such a huge animal developing loyalty so fast, or a woman choosing to bring such a large animal home. You do know he’s a wolf, right?”

I blow an annoyed raspberry, “Everyone keeps saying that. He’s just a big husky. No wolf in their right mind would have come home with me. I would have been wolf chow.”

“No wolf in their right mind for sure. Here,” she holds out a hand, and I place the leash in it gingerly, not really ready to give him over to someone else. “I’ll take great care of him. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch his name.”

“Fluffy,” I tell her, and flinch when she lets out the largest bark of laughter I’ve ever heard. It doesn’t even sound like something that could come out of such a sweet old lady at all.

“Forgive me, young lady, but I expected something like Fang or Brutus. Maybe.. Luther?”

“Hey, he’s my dog, and he’s very Fluffy, so what of it?” I try not to sound as offended as I am, but why is everyone giving me so much shit over a name?”

“Quite right, my dear, quite right.” She smiles, easing herself up to standing with a cacophony of cracking joints. “I’ll have Fluffy done in about an hour. When you come back, ask for me by name. Mary Ann.”

“Thank you, Mary Anne. I'm Christina Richards.”

“Richards, hmm? Does your father know about this new addition to the family?”

I smile. Of course, she knows my father. Who doesn’t? “Conrad Richards can’t be bothered with  his kid’s pets.” I laugh sweetly, but it’s more than true. I haven't even seen my father in a year, ever since I moved out of his building to be out of his control.

“Well,” Mary Anne starts, “ I’m sure he will be pleased to know that his little girl has some protection now.”

I smile widely at her before burying my face in Fluffy’s fur. I flinch back from his smell, my nose wrinkling. “Maybe you should hurry and get him back there. He smells foul!” 

We both laugh, and I kiss Fluffy one last time before Mary Anne leads him, struggling against her, to the back. I wonder for a moment about how such a small, soft woman could pull such a huge dog, but I suppose it's just one of life’s little mysteries.

Time for an ice cream cone for breakfast!