Fan Fiction ❯ Unwind ❯ Unwind ( Chapter 1 )

'Where were you last night?' his cloudy brown eyes seemed to ask her.

'Where were you when I was hungry? Where were you when I was lonely?' his eyes bored into hers, always squinted in his eternal smile.

She closed the front door behind her. The door to the suburban house she has worked so hard to afford.

She tossed her purse onto the wicker chair by the door and crouched. "Here boy," she whispered.

He trotted over, tail swishing the slow wag of the old. He did not bound over like he used to, tail snapping like a whip so forcefully that his hind-quarters followed the motion. Now he softly padded over from his mat by the couch, limping with arthritis.

She smiled affectionately, taking her best friend into a hug.

"Sorry I'm so late," she said softly. "Adam's wedding reception lasted until two in the morning, and I had to crash on the couch.

He panted against her cheek. Heavy, hot dog breath washing over her face before his slimy pink tongue dragged a friendly trail up her cheek.

She laughed and wiped her face as she headed towards the darkened kitchen.

"He's really grown up," she continued talking to her companion. "His wife is so sweet, and she adored you when she first met you," she said.

The woman sighed as she went through the familiar, comforting motions of feeding her pet.

Hardly a pet. He was her comrade throughout the years, to her son, confidante to her troubles, and protector of her home. He was family.

"Adam and Sarah were beautiful," she continued, beginning on her won breakfast. "Sarah was crying by the end of the ceremony. Adam wouldn't stop teasing her about her running mascara, and she ended up shoving the cake in his face - she was so upset with him," she sighed good-naturedly; fondly remembering the events of the night before. Painstakingly, she set down his full dish, her own oncoming arthritis making her joints wary.

"You know Adam was disappointed that you couldn't be the ring bearer," she informed her munching friend. "I don't think your poor heart could take the stress," she murmured, sighing in relief as she was finally able to remove the torturous high heels.

"I don't even know why I wear those," she offhandedly commented.

Her son's wedding was the most exiting thing in her life since his graduation. It had come to the point she was hoping he'd at least find a girl before she died. Now it was his fervent wish to have his child meet his old dog before the ancient canine finally gave out. A bit silly in her opinion, but one she could understand. He was an invaluable source of comfort when her husband died, and when Adam lost a father.

She looked down at her companion and noticed that he was finished eating. That was one thing that would never change with his age. He always scarfed everything down like it was his last meal.

"Come on boy," she called. "I didn't get much sleep last night. Let's spend the day in bed, watching T.V. And taking naps," She laughed in surprise when he seemed to woof in agreement.