Page 19 of Scout Takes the Lead
I laughed. “I have a similar story. My sister Mercy was jealous that Buddy was so attached to me, so she’d pick him up and take him into her room with her and close the door. She’d try to play with him but all he wanted to do was scratch at the door to get let out and find me.”
“It’s funny how dogs bond to people,” Alex said. “From the time I picked up Scout at the shelter, I felt this magnetic connection to him.”
“What made you decide to get him?”
Alex shrugged. “My PTSD,” he said. “I was getting fed up with not being able to sleep, with startling at every noise. I was taking all kinds of pills and they weren’t working.”
“And you decided a dog would help?”
Alex shrugged. “I figured it was worth a try.”
He was getting uncomfortable, so I decided to shift the topic. “You must have traveled in the Army. What was your favorite place?”
“I didn’t get to many places. Once to France for a bicycle trip. I flew through Germany a couple of times, but we didn’t have time to go sightseeing. How about you? Have you traveled?”
“My mom took Mercy and me to Puerto Rico once to see her family. And I went to the Bahamas once with my friend Becca. She won a package deal from a contest she entered. It was great—-the resort was beautiful and we sat around the pool sipping pina coladas and then going swimming to cool off. At night we went to a club that played reggae music and we danced.” I smiled. “I guess it was a lot like a staycation here only with more alcohol.”
“Do you want to travel?” he asked.
“I guess. I mean, I see peoples’ vacation photos and think oh, that looks cool. But right now I’m holding it together with my training and working at the pet store, and I don’t have a lot of spare cash for travel. I’m also thinking I might go back to school.”
“Really? For what?”
“I’ve been enjoying working with you and Scout, and there’s a lot that I can learn. So I might get a certificate in training therapy dogs.”
He laughed. “Well, I’m glad that my trouble is at least good for something.”
It was easy to talk to him, and he insisted on paying the check and walking me home. “This was really nice, Alex,” I said. Then I leaned down and scratched under Scout’s chin. “Nice to see you, too, Scout.”
“I’m glad you had a good time,” Alex said. “I did, too.”
It was very comfortable, and I was about to put my hand in his when suddenly some idiot a block away decided to set off some cherry bombs. The noise surprised me—-and then before I knew it I was on the ground and Alex was on top of me, panting heavily.
“What the...” I said. All I could think of was my dad throwing my mom to the ground in one of his fits of anger, and the adrenaline rush was giving me a headache. Scout began licking my face as Alex pulled off me.
“Sorry, inappropriate reaction,” he said. “I thought those were real bombs. I was trying to protect you.”
He reached down to help me up but I wouldn’t take his hand. My pink capris were stained with dirt and my elbow was scraped.
“I’m really, really sorry,” he said.
“I have to get home,” I said. I hurried off, wobbling on my heels, but I didn’t care.
11: All On Me: Alex
I couldn’t believe I had screwed up so royally with Grace. She had to think I was both a nutcase and a brute, throwing her to the ground like that.
I stood there with Scout for a minute, watching her hurry away from me as fast as she could on those high heels. Scout nuzzled my hand, and I stroked his back. A few of the fine golden hairs came off and I knew I’d have to brush him soon.
How could I be so screwed up? Would every step forward I took send me careening back into the trauma I couldn’t seem to leave behind? My head started to throb, and I knew I had to get home and take some pills.
Fortunately Scout knew the way and all I had to do was follow him. After I got home and took the pills, I sent a quick text to Grace. “Sorry about tonight. Don’t worry, I won’t come back to the class.”
I tried to sleep, but the nightmares wouldn’t let me. As soon as I’d drift off, I’d be back in Afghanistan, watching my friends get blown apart, then wake up drenched in sweat.
Scout whimpered and licked my face but having him beside me wasn’t enough. I’d been stupid to think a dog could solve my problems. I should return Scout to the shelter, where he’d be adopted by someone who could love him and not depend on him as much as I did.
The sun finally rose, and Scout needed to go out. I still had responsibilities toward him, for as long as I kept him with me. I took him for a walk, and it was like the sunshine and palm trees were mocking me.
