Page 41 of Something Like Forever

“It will,” Tim said. “Atthe very least, I bet he’ll be happy to have all thisstuff.”

Before leaving they hadloaded up Jason’s car with essentials like his clothes and wintergear that he would need in Oregon. They had emptied out hisbathroom too and were tempted to bring whatever furniture theycould squeeze in, but Ben had advised caution. Jason might feellike they were shoving him away. Tim doubted that, but he knew howvacations could wear thin after a while. Jason’s enthusiasm forstaying in Oregon might wane, in which case, he could still easilyload up his car and drive back. With space to spare, because thepassenger seat wouldn’t be occupied. Nor would one of the seats inthe back.

Tim casually angled therearview mirror so he could see the chubby little bundle in thebackseat. Clever girl that she was, Chinchilla raised her head tostare back.

“How’s she doing?” Benasked, choosing to smile over at him rather than check on the doghimself.

“Great!” Tim said. “Sheneeded a vacation. I can tell. She’s tired of smelling the same oldpee.”

“Um. What?”

“Oh,” Tim said, laughingin embarrassment. “You know how dogs love peeing on hydrants orwhatever? First they always sniff them, so I figure other dogs areleaving messages. It’s like the internet. We live out in theboondocks, and I bet that’s the equivalent of being on dialup.Chinchilla needs more bandwidth.”

“She needs more pee tosmell.”

“Exactly!”

“I’m surprised you don’tpee when you’re out walking together, just so she has something newto smell.”

“Ha ha. Yeah.” That’s notwhy they peed together. They were marking their territory. It was abonding exercise! “So uh, anyway, she seems a lot peppier since weleft.”

“She does,” Ben said.“She’s doing great.”

Something in his tone wasa little too accommodating. Tim wasn’t in denial. He knewChinchilla was getting older, but she was no granny. She still ranaround the yard, snapped at bugs, and loved playing tug-of-war. Hermuzzle was whiter now, but she was doing fine. Just to make sure,he pulled over at the next rest stop, this one a small wooded parknext to the highway with restrooms, a few picnic tables, and lotsof green grass and trees. Chinchilla got out of the car, sniffed,harrumphed, and opened her mouth in a smile. And to pant, but heknew her well enough to tell when she was happy.

After giving her a momentto warm up, Tim jogged with her a short distance. Mostly for hisbenefit, since he was sick of being stuck in the car. He also knewit would help her sleep better, and yeah, it proved she was nosenior citizen. If Chinchilla was old, she was a modern old lady,still active and vital. No rocking chair for her! She had places togo and people to meet.

As if on cue, a camper vanpulled up and a couple of mutts were let out by their owners. Timeto socialize! After watching to make sure they were friendly, Timwalked her over so she could sniff butts, run in excited circles,and occasionally bark. All the good stuff that came with being adog. Afterwards he went with her to the picnic bench where Ben saton the table, having found a narrow beam of sunlight between treesto bask in.

“This is nice,” Benmurmured, eyes closed. “I don’t want to get back in thecar.”

“Me neither,” Timadmitted, hopping up next to him. Chinchilla, now worn out, settleddown underneath the table. “Three more hours. Then we’ll be there.”He braced himself for more of Ben’s concerns, surprised when theconversation took a different turn.

“Ever think about gettingChinchilla a friend? She looked really happy playing with thosedogs.”

“I have,” Tim said. “Shegets tired of it though. I was at Marcello’s studio once, andNathaniel was there with Zero. They get along and I had errands torun, so I thought it would be okay to leave her. Nathaniel agreedto watch her, and I was only gone a few hours, but when I gotback…” Tim shook his head. “She ran to me and hid behind my legs.Nothing bad happened. I think she’s just too used to being thestar.”

“That I can believe,” Bensaid, opening his eyes to smile. “What about other kinds ofadoption?”

“A cat? That’s more yourthing, but we can if you want. I’m open.”

“Open to more than justpets?” Ben asked.

“Oh!” Tim exhaled. “Wow.Is that something you’ve been thinking of?”

Ben shrugged. “A little.”

“I’m surprised. Especiallywith all the stress lately.”

Ben shook his head. “I canhandle it. So what do you think? Maybe a baby thistime?”

“I don’t know,” Timadmitted. “Let’s see how we feel after this trip. Maybe you’re justmissing him.”

Ben thought about it andnodded. “I am. Ready to go see our son?”

Tim felt his heart swell, still loving howthat sounded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

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