Page 2
Glenn
“I’ve got to get going pretty soon.” It wasn’t often I even found time to come to the club lately. With all the changes in the city, my business was booming. “But it’s been nice to have an evening off and a chance to catch up.”
“Really, Glenn, isn’t your bunny asleep by now?
” Bridger set down the animal he was crocheting.
Few people who saw him at the club realized he was an award-winning crochet-pattern creator.
He made it look so easy and fun, as if it was never more than an entertaining hobby, but those of us who’d known him for a while recognized that each item that his hook produced would soon be available as a pattern for his customers to purchase.
“I’m just not sure about this scarf color on the badger.
Before, I didn’t worry so much, but since we’re selling kits now, the customers are going to be stuck with my color choices.
Do you like it?” He held up his work in progress.
“I do.” Hudson, Bridger’s little, popped up from where he was playing on the floor with some of the other boys and girls. “Badger is my favorite on the show.”
I glanced at Bridger, who filled in, “There is a new cartoon from the UK with all sorts of animals in the countryside. Badger is sort of an antihero, but Hudson loves him.”
Hudson’s head bobbed. “He’s striped.”
I could imagine that the fierce little animal could be an antihero. “Maybe he’s misunderstood.”
Austin, another of the littles, was pushing a fire truck around, but he looked up with a frown.
“Badger is always in trouble. I like Hedgehog.” His daddy, Clark, was another one of our small crowd who met here in the conversation area to visit and relax, share our lives.
It was great to have friends who understood our experiences.
“Daddy, can we go to the little room? I want to build with bricks.”
“Me too!” Hudson hopped up and linked hands with his friend, tugging him to his feet. The two of them were super cute in their little shorts and T-shirts. Hudson’s had a duckie on it and Austin a fire truck, their favorite things in the whole world, as we all knew. “Daddy, can we?”
Clark smiled at his little. “I’ll take them both, if you want to stay and chat, Bridger.”
“I did just order something to eat, so I’ll take you up on your kind offer. Also, I’d like to catch up with Glenn. Find out what’s kept him so busy that he’s left us in the lurch.”
Clark took each of the boys by the hand, and together, they disappeared into the crowd in the main area on their way to the little room. There would be single littles there as well, hoping for a daddy to play with, and, if I didn’t have to leave soon, I would have joined them.
“It’s been too long, friend.” Bridger fixed me with his stern daddy stare. “Are you cheating on us with another club?”
I laughed, unable to help myself. “Never, oh maybe Collared if I am up that way, but otherwise I’m loyal to Chained.
It’s just been really busy at the office.
Seems like everyone in town is moving somewhere.
Not that I’m complaining, but by the time I’m done, I go home, eat a sandwich, and fall into bed. ”
“Life needs balance, and meals besides sandwiches. Your success is admirable, but you’ve been alone too long.”
“I’m almost never alone.”
“You know what I mean. A pet rabbit, no matter how personable, is not a substitute for someone special in your life. No matter how adorable.”
“Since he was the model for your first kit release last winter, he would not want to hear that he’s not special.” I was joking, but at the same time trying to get him to back off. “I’m doing all right.”
“I hope so. It’s been five years since Sally passed, and she wouldn’t want you to be on your own without someone special to come home to.”
“I miss her still.” My late wife had been ten years older than me, but her sudden illness had caught us both off guard. “I’ll find someone when I’m ready. And, for now, I’ll find more time to come and play. Just to make you happy.”
“If that’s what it takes to make you be kind to yourself, I’ll gladly accept that responsibility.”
“Better get home and take care of my roommate.” My bunny.
We said goodbye, and he sat back to enjoy his Hawaiian wings while I headed for home.
I’d had every bit as long a day as any other, but for some reason had felt the need to see my friends.
They might nag and think they knew what was best for me, but without my little, I needed the energy that Chained had to offer.
My friends were all happily settled down with littles who fulfilled them, and I was so happy for them.
But I’d thought Sally and I had a lifetime together as well.
I’d have bet my heart and soul on that. While the daddy in me enjoyed being with littles at Chained, I couldn’t imagine forming such a soul-deep bond with anyone else.
I parked in the garage and went inside the house where my big fluffy white bunny Carrot waited for me. He didn’t need to be fed or anything; I’d taken care of that before I left, but having a pet made a great excuse for leaving anywhere when I wanted to get home.
He was in his play yard on one side of the living room, sound asleep.
Bridger was right about that. And he didn’t even wake up when I came in, the ungrateful fluff ball.
I paused beside him. “I still don’t know how your former owners could just leave you like that.
” When our crew was loading up the truck, the people hadn’t wanted to take him with them and offered him to whoever might want him.
They were considering letting him go to fend for himself.
The bastards.
When the guys called to tell me, I ordered the customer charged for every extra their trip required, although I usually allowed some leeway for weight or oddly shaped items. And I had the shaking little fluffer brought to my office where he spent the day before coming home with me to stay.
I’d always believed there was a special punishment waiting for cruel pet owners after they left this life.
But their loss was my gain because Carrot was great company.
We had dinner together in front of the TV, he listened to anything I had to say, pink nose twitching in full attention, and he gave me a reason to go home every night. Someone to care for.
I sure had missed that. I got him out of his yard, and he followed me into the kitchen.
“Carrot, you remember Bridger?”
Carrot’s nose twitched.
“He thinks we need a new little in our lives. What do you think of that?” I stuck my plate of leftover Chinese food in the microwave and leaned against the counter. “It’s too soon, right?”
This time, all I got was a steady stare.
“Sure. Take his side. Just because he’s got someone like Hudson doesn’t mean I would have that kind of luck. Besides, I don’t think I could take someone else leaving me like Sally did.”
After dinner, I carried Carrot upstairs, past the door I never opened and to his “bedroom” inside mine.
I showered and put on a pair of cotton PJ pants then flopped on the bed.
On the other side of the wall behind me lay the nursery.
My very understanding weekly house cleaner kept the dust from taking over in there, I supposed.
I’d never told her not to clean it, but I never checked.
Every now and then I came close, approached the door, even grasped the knob, but I’d never actually gone in.
Or looked. It would only tear the scab from a barely healing wound.
Sally was the only woman I’d ever been with, most of my relationships with men.
But she’d been a truly special person who made me feel needed and loved, and I’d always be grateful for our years together.
She’d made me swear I wouldn’t live alone, and I suspected Carrot was not what she’d had in mind for a companion. I picked up the framed photo from the nightstand and looked at the beloved face. “Sally, my love, I’ll try…”
Of course, I’d promised to move on before.