I’m sorry to hear that Andrea said Tell your folks I said hello And how about you drop by the house sometime next week for dinner Ann would love to hear about this season’s team Nate smiled and nodded Then he dug his 5
fingers deeper into my curly hair and said Noodle you make me miss my girl I wish you could meet her Nate had told me all about his dog Toast Toast was an actual poodle Nate said Not like me I’m a Doodle a standard poodle mixed with a Golden Retriever Last time we talked Nate wondered why anyone would mix up an actual poodle He said they were the smartest most athletic best dogs around Why mess with perfection he asked Andrea said something about how she didn’t like it either But she didn’t like anyone breeding dogs for any reason Rescued is the best breed Andrea always said I was sure glad Andrea rescued me actual poodle or not Any Helper Hounds cases coming up Nate asked 6
In fact Andrea said We need to get back to the house I just got a text about a boy having trouble getting over feeling angry that his grandfather died He doesn’t let himself cry and won’t go visit the cemetery Nate sighed and looked toward the ground I don’t blame the kid for being angry Nate said I’m angry about my dad being so sick too I don’t want him to die Andrea put her arm on Nate’s Your dad is going to be okay she said I just know it Nate nodded That’s what the doctors say But I worry you know I do know Andrea said And any time you need to talk or hang out with Noodle stop by okay Petting Noodle helps a lot with worry It does Nate said She’ll be able to help that boy with his grief too She knows a thing or two about that right 7
Andrea smiled Yup Andrea said as she reached down to scratch me Noodle knows all about grief She’s had to grieve two families now Poor fuzzy girl Andrea reached down to scratch the fluff on the top of my head Yeah Nate said That’s the tree you planted in honor of her old man right Andrea looked over to the small maple tree growing between the giant elms and pines That’s the one Andrea said Curly keeps peeing on the plaque I think that’s how she honors his memory Nate laughed Yeah maybe he said But she’s been through so much and keeps on loving whoever she meets She’s a great role model Maybe not the part about peeing Andrea and Nate laughed A clock chime rang in the distance 8
