Page 87 of Husband of the Year
“Your mom texted me and told me everything. We are shifting from Operation Wedding Planning to Operation Baby Preparation.” Sheldon holds up a hand. “Only temporarily.”
My eyes land on Theo and he says, “I’m here to help.” He holds up the toolbox, and Walter stands.
“He’s not only handsome,” Sheldon says. “He’s tall. And strong. He knows how to fix things. We need him.” Sheldon pats Theo’s thick biceps.
“Speaking of fixing things, what the fuck did you do with your curls? And how are we going to get them back before Olan returns?” Jill asks.
“I got a trim.” I shake my shoulders and stick my chest out. “I like it.”
“You got it chopped.” Sheldon moves toward me, inspecting.
“Massacred is more like it.” Jill sets her bags down and pokes a finger in my hair. “Does Olan know?”
“Not yet. He’ll see it Monday.”
“You should’ve waited. Without the curls, I’m not sure he’s going to be as enthusiastic about the whole till death do us part thing.”
“Olan is marryingme.” I scratch at the fuzz on the back of my head. “Not my hair.”
“Whatever you say.” Jill picks her bags up and walks inside.
“I’m sure he won’t mind.” Sheldon walks past me, turns to Theo, and whispers, “Please never cut your curls off, baby.”
“No chance,” Theo says as he comes inside, followed by Walter.
“Wait.” I close the door and my stomach flips, worrying about a dog entering Gonzo’s territory.
Before anyone can intervene, Gonzo pounces into the entryway and approaches Walter with his head toward the floor. His ears flatten against his skull while his tail flicks back and forth.
“He’s never met a dog before,” I say.
“Oh, Walter’s not a regular dog,” Sheldon says.
“He’s a service dog.” Theo pets Walter’s side. “Nothing fazes him.”
“It’s not Walter I’m worried about.”
I move to save Gonzo, and before I can pick him up, he stands upright, ears perked up, and smooshes his face on Walter’s neck.
“See, they’re friends already,” Sheldon says. “Everybody loves Walter. He’s like the Freddie Mercury of dogs. Maybe we should’ve changed his name to Freddie?” Sheldon looks toward Theo.
“No, he’s a Walter. And he wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Theo bends down and removes Walter’s service harness, and he immediately trots over to Gonzo’s water bowl and begins lapping.
Gonzo follows, waiting to see where his new buddy will settle.
“Okay, okay, Garfield isn’t going to scratch Odie’s eyes out. Kumbaya, and all that jazz. We have work to do.” Jill hoists her bags onto the counter.
She removes various devices, doodads, and paraphernalia I’ve never seen.
“What is all this?”
“Babyproofing gear.” Jill plops what appears to be some sort of padding on the counter.
“So the baby doesn’t accidentally get electrocuted, impaled, drown, or poke an eye out.”
“Locked and loaded.” Theo holds up a drill in one hand and a hammer in the other.
“But this is all your stuff,” I say. “I can’t take it.”
