“Actually, we're about to leave. “ Morgan materialized between them suddenly, her voice sounding troubled. “And thanks, but we don't need any help with our cat. He's a little stubborn and grumpy, but nothing more. Oh, and I'm Morgan Sullivan, Charlie's husband. “He introduced himself, and even though he was smiling, she could feel something inexplicably dangerous permeating her every word.
“ M-very pleased. “ Eric stammered, taking several steps away immediately, while smiling nervously at Morgan “ So, as I was saying, yeah It's always good to hire an experienced trainer to handle this sort of thing. Well look at the time! I should start organizing everything to get them back to the kennel...
“It was great meeting you, Matilda…” Charlie gently nuzzled hers, letting her lick his cheek “I hope you don't have to wait too long to find a home…
“Well, unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen. Eric sighed.
" What you mean? was Morgan who asked, looking as concerned as Charlie.
“The kennel she came from has been suffering from a lot of budget cuts lately and because of this she is going to be transferred to another kennel. Look, I don't like to badmouth anyone, but that place is a dump. They don't make any effort to get the dogs adopted, they've already been reported for lack of food and, we can't prove anything, but everyone suspects that they even euthanize the oldest dogs and those who already arrive there with a history of taking a long time to be adopted. “ Eric said, crestfallen “ And that's the case with Matilda. We have tried everything to find her a family, but none of the vets have been able to and the staff are unable to take another dog into their own homes. “ he scratched the back of his head, annoyed “ I, for example, live with other guys in my college dorm, so...
“You mean they're just going to send her to a place where they know she's going to suffer? “ Charlie interrupted him, terrified “ How can they allow this? Why don't they report this place?
“We have already denounced it. “ he revealed, crestfallen “ But these things take time. And the mayor's representative won't allow us to send her anywhere other than a county kennel, so...
“What is the name of this kennel? “ she asked, furious “ I'm going to report them too! Every day if need be!
"Look, I'm sorry... But I don't think there's anything we can do..." Eric whined, but a voice cut him off.
“Actually, I think there is something we can do. “ Morgan argued, looking at the puppy in Charlie's lap. “We can give Sawyer a little sister.
“You mean…” Charlie gasped, touched “That you want to adopt her?
“Of course, why not? She seems to be very sweet and it's not like she can't get a little more space and food. “ he smiled, stroking the furry little head, making Matilda yelp, her little tail wagging wildly in sheer excitement “Could you prepare the papers for us? And also the name of the kennel you mentioned. “ Morgan asked Eric, his expression slightly somber “I'd like to know exactly who's running this kind of place...
“Oh Morgan! “She interrupted him by enveloping him in a tight hug, feeling as if she could burst with joy at that very moment “You are so wonderful! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! “ she repeated over and over as her new puppy wriggled between them, licking their faces “Did you hear that, Matilda?! You just won a house!
Lapping happily, almost as if she could understand what Charlie had just said, Matilda began licking her face wildly, making Morgan's chest warm at the adorable sight. And he almost didn't realize, until it was too late, that Charlie was also bringing the puppy to him, when suddenly he found himself being attacked by Matilda's relentless licks. They were both still laughing and trying to calm her down when Eric brought out the adoption record for Charlie to sign, as well as the disclaimer and, very discreetly, also the name of that kennel written on a piece of paper.
Bursting with happiness, with her newest baby in her arms, Charlie skipped along beside Morgan at the fair, when the stalls were already closing and some lights had even been turned off.
“ You will be so happy! " Charlie promised Matilda, running kisses down her pink belly, making her shake her tail to make it hit her cheek " You'll have a warm place to sleep, lots of food and a little temperamental little brother... “ she joked “But don't worry. I'll introduce you to him the right way, little by little, and hopefully it'll be okay. From now on, we will all be a family.
" For sure. Morgan nodded, also reaching out to pet Matilda.
“And it's all thanks to you, Morgan. “ she smiled at her husband, feeling all the love she had for him swell in her chest, as if she wanted to explode her from the inside out “I appreciate it so much, Morgan... In fact... “ snuggling Matilda into her lap, Charlie hesitated for a moment, before admitting, very carefully, “I didn't see this coming. And not just that you wanted to adopt another pet, but also that you would pick me up today. We were... so far apart these days...
“Yes, I know…” Morgan sighed, like he was as downhearted as she was to broach the subject “It's just… I think there's been a lot going on lately and we're both getting a little lost. Not just in the midst of all this confusion, but also inside our own heads. And I don't want that to happen, Charlie. “ he looked deep into her eyes, saddened “ I want you to be happy while you're living with me, not that this keeps us apart.
“I don't want to be away from you either. “ she took a step forward, approaching him and, for a moment, she tried to gather the courage to speak directly about what she felt, but, when she saw him discreetly walk away from her, she simply couldn't “ You are the only family that I have that left, Morgan…” she mumbled at last, when they finally made it to the car, “The last thing I want is for you to leave me.
“I would never leave you, Charlie! “ he argued, gently holding her by the shoulders “I just… I want to do what's best for you. “ he sighed, with a wistful smile “ If I can do this… Then nothing else matters.
“Don't you think you should ask me what's best for me first before I act? “ she challenged him.
“We don't always know what's best for ourselves, Charlie. “ he gulped, looking more and more desolate “Believe me, I know. Often, I can barely recognize myself.
“So what makes you so sure you know what's best for me if that's how you feel? she murmured, making his eyes widen.
Blinking rapidly, Morgan remained silent for several seconds, stunned, before finally looking down at the floor, seemingly without an answer to that question.
" Let's go home. “ he whispered, opening the passenger door for her and Matilda, who seemed to have dozed off. “This conversation is not going to do us any good. The best thing is to forget about it and make everything go back to the way it was before.
Quietly, Charlie sat down on the bench, knowing that, in fact, it would do no good to argue with her headstrong husband right now. If he thought it best for the two of them to act as if they didn't feel desire for each other, then he could take it as he pleased. Because she knew exactly what she was going to do when they got home and he didn't miss out on waiting.
The two remained completely silent the entire way, to the point where Charlie had to bite his tongue to hold back from asking Morgan if what he called "getting things back to normal." However, eventually, they arrived at his apartment, almost at the same time that Matilda woke up, becoming immediately agitated and trying to sniff and identify everything around her.
" Everything is fine. This is your new home! " Charlie explained, while the three went up in the elevator " I promise that soon you will know everything here as you know your own paw.
When they finally entered the apartment, Charlie looked around the living room, looking for Sawyer, but she couldn't find him, which even relieved her a little. She didn't want to risk him being too territorial and causing unnecessary stress for both pets.
Taking one of the throws from the sofa, Charlie wrapped Matilda in it and handed it to Morgan.
“Can you take her to the laundry room? She can sleep there and tomorrow morning this blanket will smell like her. Then I can start introducing her scent to Sawyer and he'll start to get used to her presence before he even sees her. “ she explained, giving Matilda a last kiss on the muzzle “ No sibling fights in this house.
" You the boss." Morgan nodded easily, going to do as she asked.
Once alone, finding it strange that Sawyer wasn't around, Charlie started to walk around the house, looking for him. However, it was only when she saw a trail formed by orange goo that led to the balcony that she realized that something was very wrong. And when she found her cat unconscious by the window, hidden in the curtains and surrounded by her own vomit, she let out a scream that the entire building surely heard.