Page 15 of Second Chances
Chapter 10
Megan left Sandy, thedisgruntled cleaning lady, clanging pots and bottles in the kitchen and set out for her first walk of the day with Timber. Surprisingly enough, walking the dog was the only time that Megan was able to feel at peace, that her mind wasn't grieving the loss of her relationship, the life that she had imagined for so many years. The crunch of the snow under her feet, the soft panting of the husky's breath, the quiet jangle of his name tag against the carabiner on his leash, all comforted her and helped to quiet her mind. She looked down at her new best friend as he faithfully plodded along beside her, and when they returned home, he would let her dry off his paws and then curl up in a ball beside her. The dog seemed to understand exactly what she needed: comfort and companionship. The walks felt good and he never seemed to tire. She clocked their route and figured out that they were averaging about ten miles a day.
But when she stepped inside the house, all her feelings would come crashing back to her, the weight of her heartbreak so heavy it was all she could do to take off Charlotte's boots and crawl under a blanket in front of the fire. She had been avoiding Charlotte's calls but had responded to a few of her text messages, just so that she knew that she was still alive.
When Megan and Timber rounded the last switchback on the road and turned onto Sugar Peaks Way, she was surprised that the tire tracks in the snow led down the road and up to the driveway. Charlotte.
Shit.
Megan wasn't ready to face her friend. She took a deep breath, “Come on Timber,” she whispered to her friend and headed for the door.
"Ah, there are my boots," Charlotte smiled as she spotted Megan at the doorway. "I was wondering where they went."
"I hope you don't mind. I don't really have any that are appropriate." Megan pulled Charlotte's puffy jacket off and instead of flinging it on the chair like she'd been doing all week, she dutifully hung it in the closet.
Charlotte rushed over and gripped her friend in a bear hug, "How have you been? Are you enjoying Chance Rapids?"
Timber stepped out from behind Megan and nudged Charlotte's hand.
"Whoa, who is this with that cold nose?" Charlotte jerked her hand back.
"This is Timber and we have a walking club,"
"Hi, Timber," Charlotte said and patted him on the head. "Who does he belong to? Please tell me you didn’t adopt a dog."
"His name is Josh, he drops him off her every day while he's at work."
"Josh who?" Charlotte turned and walked into the kitchen, Megan and Timber followed. Charlotte poured a glass of water from the tap and offered it to Megan, then poured her own. Megan took a sip and leaned against the island.
"I don't know his last name, he just drops Timber off in the morning and picks him up when he's done work."
"I didn't know that you liked dogs.” Charlotte filled the kettle and set it on the gas stove. "Tea? Or do you just want to start on your wine diet for the day?"
"I do like dogs, walking him has been the only thing that gets me out of bed some days."
"I was worried about that."
"Is that why you're here?" Megan glanced around the kitchen, hoping that Sandy had been able to get rid of all the wine bottles.
"You haven't been answering my calls, and I've been getting one-word text responses from you. Meg. You need to talk. Maybe sitting up here all isolated isn't the best thing for you."
"No," Megan interrupted, "It's exactly what I need."
Charlotte dropped two tea bags into a red teapot and poured in the boiling water. "Milk?" She sidestepped around Megan and opened the fridge, "What the hell Meg. Have you not gone shopping?"
"I um. I haven't gotten around to that yet."
"What have you been eating?"
"I've just been grazing, snacking, you know."
"No, no I don't. Meg. You're the best cook I know. Your dinner parties are legendary, and here you are, what, eating dry cereal and granola bars?"
Megan looked to the ground. "I haven't had much of an appetite."
"But Sandy tells me you've put a healthy dent in the inventory of my wine cellar."
"Dammit, Sandy," Megan muttered. "So. So, what. My husband just left me. I'm broke. I'm alone. I'm forty-fucking-three years old."
