Spades: Part Three

Spades Part Three

 

The night ended for me at one in the morning, though the action at Dante’s was still going strong. An hour before, Bonnie had stopped by on her way out. She’d simply told me to have a good weekend and squeezed my hand, leaving a little piece of paper in it. It had her number in it with a simple note "if you need me". So she had seen the tear. At least I was pretty sure of it. I walked to the back, saying ‘Hi’ to some of the regulars on the way. I was far from being a household name, but a few people knew who I was.

 

"Heading out Brandon?" It was Justin, the second-in-command so to speak.

"Yeah, think I’ve done my time for the night."

"Any plans for ya?"

 

Again with that. Did people really think I was so obviously doing nothing that they had to point it out? It was his first query about it though so I let it slide.

 

"Nothing planned but life itself."

"Hah, well have fun with that. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do."

Smart a*s, like that was saying anything.

 

I left the back and made my way to the parking garage. Finding my car I got in and just sat there in the drivers seat for a little bit. I shook the loose thoughts from my head and turned the key. My little Cabrio roared to life and I backed out and made my way home. Damn, Luna would be hungry. I pulled up to the store and ran in. Tuna should be a good enough apology, as long as it was albacore. I made my purchase and kicked into gear to get home as quickly as possible. I parked in my complex and made my way up the steps. And there she was, looking dead just laying there on my doorstep. Drama Queen. "Luna, I've got tuna!" She jumped up quicker than a chupacabra and was rubbing up against my legs. "I missed you too sweet pea." I stepped into my humble abode and made my way to the kitchen. She was already perched by the can opener when I got there. I set up the can to open and pulled a couple shakers out of my herb drawer and set them in front of her. "So what'll it be tonight? Lemon pepper or italian?" She sniffed them both and put her paw on one. "Italian it is then." I mixed up the tuna with some of the seasoning and then set a bowl of it in front of her and pet her gently as she ate, devouring every last flake of fish.

 

I walked back into my front room and flopped down in the comfy lay-z-boy chair in front of the TV. Before I could get the remote in hand and turn it on Luna had already made her way into my lap. "I know, you're welcome. It was a treat but I didn't want you mad at me." Her eyes told me I didn't have to worry about that. A year or so ago I was feeling a strain of lonliness and took a bit of a drive to the closest animal shelter. We fell in love with each other in mere seconds. She had been abandoned by her family and was in pretty bad shape. Within a month though you would never have been able to tell. And I named her Luna. Like the moon pulls the tide I was drawn to her.

 

I flipped around some and settled on the movie channel. Something light...a comedy. I could use something like that right now. "Scooby Doo Luna?" Her response was a nudge on my chin. I hit the play button to start it up and leaned back in my chair. I'd seen it before but eh, it was a good movie. On a normal night years ago you would have found me curled up on the couch watching a scary movie with Lily. She was the only one I really watched those with, and she had been the one who had gotten me into them. The gang had barely arrived at 'Spooky Island' when I felt myself start to drift...and Luna found her spot on my chest, nuzzling into me.

 

I woke later to my phone ringing as the credits were rolling. Luna didn't even flinch as I reached for it and picked it up. Half awake I answered, "Hello?" My face drained, and speech didn't come. I just listened to the person on the other end until they finished talking. "Okay, thank you."

 

I set my phone down and, against better judgement lit up a cigarette. I never smoked inside but right now I didn't care. Neither did Luna.

 

3 years..and now this.

Author's Note

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