Page 7 of Puppy Love

Ace runs in and jumps on the bed, and I shake my head. “No, you aren’t allowed in here when he’s not home. Remember, only the living room,” I say.

He ignores me and crawls into a ball on the bed.

I look around and don’t see my sneaker, so I bend down and look under the bed. I see nothing and now I’m really starting to get frustrated. I need to leave.

The closet is cracked open and even though I feel like I’m invading his space, I pull it open more. There on the floor of his closet is my sneaker. It has Ace’s teeth marks on it, but only from carrying it, not from chewing.

I slip it on and turn to face him. “You naughty boy. Don’t take my sneakers out of my room anymore.” I move toward the door and clap my hands. “Come on, Ace.”

He looks at me but doesn’t even lift his head. I don’t have time for this.

“Ace, come,” I say, sternly.

This time he yawns and stretches. Oh hell no. I go over to the bed and grab his collar, pulling it lightly. “Come on, Ace. You need to get out. I have to go to work, and your father doesn’t allow you in the bedrooms alone,” I grunt, pulling.

He doesn’t budge. Not a single inch. I look around for a toy and when I find a ball I pick it up and show it to him. “Look, your ball. Go get it,” I say, throwing it out the bedroom door.

He watches it and looks back at me. “Are you fucking serious?”

Ugh. I get on the bed and try pushing him, but he just readjusts himself. I try pulling him again and nothing. I call him from the living room, open and close the front door, and even dump food in his bowl.

Nothing.

“You little shit,” I yell.

I grab my phone and see I’m now twenty minutes late for work. I pull up Jayden’s number and pace the living room waiting for him to answer.

“Hey Cambri, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? I’m twenty minutes late for work because Ace hid my sneaker in your room and now I can’t get him off your bed,” I yell.

He chuckles and I want to reach through the phone and choke him. “So leave him and go to work,” he says.

“What? You said he can’t be alone in the bedrooms.”

“I prefer he's not, but I sure as hell don’t want you late for work because of something like that. He’s not going to do anything, just go to work,” he says.

I close my eyes, shaking my head. “Fine. I’ll see you tonight.”

“He just wants your attention, that’s why he’s being stubborn. Have a good shift,” he says, hanging up.

I poke my head in Jayden’s room and stare at Ace. “You got your way. Thanks for making me late,” I say, shaking my head.

I’m exhausted.I had to stay an extra hour because they were so pissed I was late. My feet hurt, I’m starving, and I’m covered in ketchup because some kid thought it was funny to spill his plate on me.

When I walk into the house, Ace comes running for me. I pet his head but keep walking.

“Damn, you worked late,” Jayden says, looking away from the TV.

“Yeah well, when you get to work late you have to stay and make up the time,” I mumble.

I open the fridge to get some water and Ace won’t stop sniffing me. “I know, I smell like food,” I say.

“I ordered pizza, I left some in the oven for you,” Jayden says.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

Ace keeps sniffing and trying to lick me and I’m trying to push him away. “Please, I know I smell,” I whine.

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