Unraveling the Pieces

by Terri DuLong

  When I arrived home I saw that Marta had finished cleaning, so I decided to have lunch and then spend the afternoon at the yarn shop.

  I walked in to find the table filled with our regular knitters and everybody talking at the same time. Mavis Anne sat at the head of the table, her head bent over a notebook. She looked up from writing and pointed to the last empty chair.

  “Oh, Petra, good. I’m glad you’re here. We’re discussing our upcoming Christmas party at Koi House.”

  “Yeah,” Maddie said with a smile on her face. “Nothing like whisking your house out from right under you.”

  I sat down and shook my head. “I don’t mind. Really. Actually, I think it’ll be a lot of fun. So what have I missed?”

  Mavis Anne tapped the calendar in front of her. “Well, today is December first already. I suppose we should have begun planning this sooner, but not to worry. How does Sunday, December eighteenth, sound? That’s one week before Christmas. Will that work for you, Petra?”

  “Yes, fine. And I spoke to Marta this morning. She’d be more than happy to make the pastries. I told her it would probably be an afternoon tea.”

  Mavis Anne nodded. “Yes, wonderful idea. In my day teas were quite common. Why don’t we say three o’clock? How does that sound to everyone?”

  I looked around the table and saw nods of assent.

  “I’d like this to be a thank you to our loyal customers, so maybe we could post an invitation announcement here in the shop to let people know.”

  “I can do that on the computer,” Yarrow said. “And we’ll put it on the door so knitters will see it right away.”

  Mavis Anne nodded. “Good idea. Okay, but I’d also like to give each customer who attends a little knitted item and something from the shop. Nothing big. Just a little gesture of appreciation for their patronage.”

  “I agree,” Chloe said. “I have some lovely spa cloths I knitted and put away for future gifts. We can buy some of that nice Mistral soap online and include a bar with each facecloth. And maybe put together little pouches with point protectors, markers, scissors, things like that which always come in handy for knitters.”

  “I also have spa cloths that I’ve knitted and put away,” Iris said. “So we’ll get together and see about how many we might need.”

  “Right,” Fay said. “We need to have a sign-up sheet. So we’ll know how many women are planning to attend.”

  Yarrow nodded. “Good idea. I’ll do that on the computer also and print it out.”

  “What can I do?” Louise piped up. “I don’t have a task.”

  “You can help Chloe and Iris put the gift bags together once we have all the items. And we can’t leave all the decorating of Koi House to Petra, so why don’t we gather on Sunday to do that? As much as I love real trees, I have a huge lovely artificial one we can put up. The tree and decorations are in the upstairs closet, so we will need help getting everything down to the family room. Can everyone come on Sunday afternoon?”

  All of us nodded and I said, “Oh, I bet Haley would love to help and be part of the decorating. Why don’t you call her, Iris?”

  “I’ll do that,” she said. I noticed that she neglected to mention Isabelle’s joining us.

  * * *

  After cleaning up the kitchen following supper, I settled outside on the patio with my knitting. Lotte was curled up in the chair across from me. I recalled Iris’s offer to call Haley with no mention of her daughter. This made me realize I still had not heard from Isabelle since she had cancelled our lunch date. And that was three days ago. What the hell was up with her?

  I reached for my cell and dialed her number.

  “Petra, hi. How are you?”

  “I was wondering the same thing,” I said. “I haven’t heard from you and wanted to be sure everything is okay.”

  “Oh, yes, fine. Great, actually. I’ve just been so busy working and then after work, well . . . I am still a new bride, you know.” Her laughter came across the line.

  I guess she was right. Isabelle and Chadwick would be married three months on Christmas Eve. “Well, listen, I wanted to touch base with you about the Christmas tea we’re having here at Koi House on the eighteenth. Mavis Anne wants to do this as a thank you to her customers. So I hope you and Haley will come. Your mother is supposed to call you with details. But we’re having a gathering here on Sunday to get the tree decorated. Do you think you could come? I’d love to see you.”

  There was a pause before she said, “Oh, gosh, Pet. I’d love to. Really I would. But Chadwick and I are leaving tomorrow. We closed the office for the day. We’re flying to New York City to do some Christmas shopping and taking a long weekend.”

  Oh. This was the first I’d heard about this.

  “Well, that sounds like fun. Is Haley going too?”

  “No. She’s flying up to Atlanta to spend the weekend with her dad and Gordon.”

  “Well, that’s great. Okay. You have a nice time and say hello to Chadwick for me. Maybe we could get together next week after you come back.”

  “Sounds great. Yes, absolutely. I’ll call you.”

  I disconnected the call and sat staring at my phone. Silly, I know, but I was feeling rejected by my best friend. Of course, I understood that she was newly married and wanted to spend time with her husband. But I’d never thought that getting married meant you had to relinquish your female friends. Especially a female friend who was more like a sister to you than just a friend.

  Then it hit me that perhaps this was just Isabelle being Isabelle. I had to admit that she’d always been a little self-centered. But it was part of who she was and something I had always accepted. I knew I was feeling left out, and maybe it wasn’t intentional on her part, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

  I picked up the sock I had almost finished and continued knitting. Maybe you really need to get your own life, I thought. I had never considered this a problem before. I had my job, my house. and a fair number of failed relationships that had never been too serious from the start. So when they ended, I was ready to move on. And through all of it, I always had Isabelle in my corner. To share my ups and downs. But all of a sudden, she was caught up in her new life and very absent from mine.

  Were we drifting apart? I wasn’t sure. All I knew for certain was that for the first time since we became friends in kindergarten, thinking about our friendship made me feel sad. Sad and alone.

  Chapter 5

  I was getting Lotte and myself ready on Saturday morning to go to Petco for the adoptions when Louise called, sounding terrible.

  “I’ve been up all night coughing,” she said. “My throat is scratchy and I’m not going to be able to make it this morning.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” I told her. “You take care of yourself and I’ll call you later to check on how you’re doing.”

  “Thank you, Petra. I’ve called Suzanne to explain and I’m going back to bed.”

  I had met Suzanne a few days before and liked her immediately. I’ve always felt that most people who love animals are good people, friendly and compassionate and a pleasure to be around. Suzanne was no exception.

  I walked into Petco with Lotte on her leash to find a large crowd of people milling about. I made my way to the back of the store and found Suzanne talking with another shelter volunteer. She spotted me, waved, and held a finger in the air indicating she’d be right with me.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said when she walked over. “Louise called to say she’s sick and I have another volunteer out sick, so we’re really grateful you could help us today.”

  “Not a problem,” I said. “I’m looking forward to it. You said I’ll be outside?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Come on, I’ll get you set up.” She leaned over to let Lotte sniff her hand. “And you must be Lotte. You are one pretty girl and so chic all dressed up in your pretty outfit,” she said, laughing.

  I had chosen a pink-and-white-striped knitted sweater for Lotte to we
ar along with a tiny matching beret on her head. “I brought her doggie stroller, if that’s okay. I thought she could stay in that next to me and be safe.”

  “Very good idea,” Suzanne said as I followed her out of the store.

  “Okay.” She pointed to a large crate containing two medium-size dogs that appeared to be part wheaten terrier. She reached into a packet of papers she was carrying and passed me a few. “This will tell you about the dogs. Their ages, possible breed, and other info. If somebody shows an interest, send them inside to find one of us and we’ll take it from there. Any questions?”

  I shook my head as I went to the crate and allowed both dogs to sniff my fingers. “No, I don’t think so. They sure are beautiful. I hope we’re able to find them a home today.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. Here’s your name tag. If you send anybody inside about an adoption, be sure they know you’re Petra and you have the dog they want.”

  I pinned the name tag to my sweater and nodded. “Okay, will do,” I said as I set up the stroller, lifted Lotte and placed her inside.

  “Great. If you need anything, just come and find me.”

  “Thanks, Suzanne,” I said as she headed back inside.

  “Hi there,” I heard the man next to me say. “I’m Bob.”

  I looked and saw he was standing beside a crate of beagle puppies.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Petra.”

  “Have you volunteered before?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “No. First time. How about you?”

  He laughed. “Oh, I’ve been doing this for many years. Ever since I retired. My wife used to join me, but she passed away a few years ago. I feel it’s a good thing to do, so here I am.”

  “Same here. I wanted to help find homes for these lovely dogs.”

  “Your dog there.” He pointed to Lotte. “Is she a rescue?”

  “Yes. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  He laughed again. “They sure do have a way of working their way into our hearts, don’t they? I have three at home. Two Chihuahuas and a bulldog mix.”

  We chatted a bit more and then I sat on the folding chair to scan the information on the two dogs in my charge. Both were wheaten terriers and they were purebred. I kept reading and discovered they were sisters, one year old, and their owner had recently passed away. God, how sad, I thought, glancing into the crate to find them snuggled up beside each other, both of them looking up at me with soulful eyes. I took a deep breath. I wanted nothing more than to scoop them both up and take them home with Lotte and me. But I knew I couldn’t.

  More people were now beginning to arrive, and I crossed my fingers that these two beauties would go to a forever home before the day was out.

  A couple in their thirties approached my crate, and I smiled at them. “Hi,” I said. “Looking to take a dog or two home with you today?” My information didn’t say both dogs had to be placed together, but the thought of separating the siblings broke my heart.

  “Aw, look,” the woman said, bending down to put her fingers into the crate. “They’re so cute. Are they related?”

  “Yes. Sisters and a year old. Very nice dogs and they really need a good home.”

  Her husband or boyfriend made no attempt to pat the dogs and took a step back.

  “What do you think, sweetie?” she asked. “Can we get them?”

  He shook his head. “I told you not to even stop. No dogs. Come on. We have to get food for my ferret.”

  She stood up, looked at me, and shrugged her shoulders before following him inside.

  I won’t lie. I was thankful they’d passed on taking Lucy and Ethel. I smiled again at the previous owner’s choice of names.

  A middle-aged couple walked toward my crate. I was beginning to feel like a social worker at an orphanage, trying to do a quick assessment of whether people might be the right fit for my two charges. They were holding hands and seemed happy. Both good signs. Nicely dressed. Also good, because having pets could be expensive.

  “Hello,” I said, giving them my biggest smile. “Meet Lucy and Ethel. They’re sisters and looking for a new home.”

  Both the man and the woman reached into the crate to pat the dogs. It was obvious they were dog lovers. Maybe this was it. Maybe Lucy and Ethel would find a new home with this couple. But then the man shook his head and laughed. “I’m afraid it can’t be us. We’re at our limit. We’ve rescued four dogs over the past year.”

  “Really?” I said, disappointed but impressed.

  The wife nodded. “Yes, really. As much as we’d love to take another one or two, we have to be practical.”

  I agreed. “I wish you could take them too, but yes, I agree. I’d say your family is complete.”

  They each gave a final pat before stepping back. “Well, we wish you luck,” the man said. “I sure hope they find a good home. They’re beautiful dogs.”

  “Thanks,” I said as they walked inside the store.

  I heard a commotion going on farther down the line and looked to see a little girl of about five or six jumping up and down with excitement.

  I saw Bob smiling and said, “What’s going on?”

  His smile broadened. “The parents of that little girl just told her she can have the little shih tzu she fell in love with. Looks like that one found a home.”

  The volunteer reached into the crate, removed the dog, and put it into the little girl’s arms. She cuddled it and kissed the top of the dog’s head. The look on the little girl’s face was pure bliss, and I could feel moisture stinging my eyes.

  “That is so sweet,” I said, wiping at my eyes. “I’m thrilled for both of them.”

  Bob nodded. “I know. It always warms my heart to see a dog get a new home.”

  Over the next few hours, I was able to witness a few more adoptions, and each one was special. But it was looking bleak for Lucy and Ethel. I hated the thought of them returning to the shelter rather than a forever home.

  I had just given Lotte some water in a bowl and was placing her back into her stroller when I heard a young voice say, “Why is that dog in a baby carriage?”

  I turned around and I felt my heart flip over. Not the romantic kind of flip-flop. It was different. More like how my heart feels when I see a dog or cat. That feeling that grips your heart and doesn’t want to let go.

  Standing in front of me was a young boy who appeared to be around seven or eight. He was scrawny, wearing nice jeans and a designer pullover jersey. His medium brown hair fell across his forehead, making him look vulnerable; black-framed eyeglasses surrounded the dark eyes that were staring at me.

  I swallowed and smiled at him. “Oh . . . well . . . this is Lotte and she’s my dog. She’s helping me with the adoptions today and I want to keep her safe, so she has a doggie stroller.”

  He nodded matter-of-factly and then pointed at the crate before going down on both knees and looking up at me. “Can they be adopted?”

  “Yes, they can. Do you have any dogs?”

  He shook his head as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose but didn’t take his eyes off Lucy and Ethel. “No. Are they related?”

  “They are. They’re sisters. How old are you?”

  Still not taking his eyes from the dogs and slowly putting a finger inside the crate, he said, “I’m ten.”

  Ten? He was small for his age. I noticed that both dogs were licking the boy’s hand as their tails wagged.

  “Do you think you might want to take a dog home today? Are your parents here?” I now realized the boy was alone.

  “My dad’s inside. Buying food for our bird. Yeah, I keep telling him I want a dog, but he doesn’t listen.”

  There was something about this little boy that was tugging at my heartstrings. Just then I saw a frazzled looking man exit the store, look around, spot the boy at my crate and come over.

  “Jonah! How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off. Come on, we have to go.”

  “But, Dad, look.” Th
e boy stood up but his hand remained inside the crate caressing the dogs. “They’re sisters and they really, really need a home. Can’t we take them?”

  Dad ran a hand through his curly dark hair, shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. He was tall and good looking in a nerdy sort of way. I noticed that he wore the same type of black-framed eyeglasses as his son. “No, Jonah, we cannot. We’ve discussed this before. It’s not a good time to get a dog.”

  I could tell the boy was reluctant to leave.

  “But when is a good time?” he questioned.

  Thinking this was my cue to jump in and help the boy out a bit, I said, “Sometimes we just think it’s not a good time.” I flashed the father one of my warmest smiles and continued. “Usually our dogs choose us, and it’s clear that these two adore your son.” Really pushing the envelope, I bent down to the boy’s level and said, “I bet if you asked your mother, maybe she’d agree. Sometimes it takes a mom to convince the dad. Is she here? Still in the store?”

  Neither one replied. Trying for a playful attitude, I cocked my head to the side and said, “Where’s your mom? Maybe you could ask her.”

  “His mother is dead,” the father retorted with ice dripping off his words. He leaned forward, adjusted his glasses, and read my name tag. “And I’ll thank you very much, Miss Petra, to mind your own business.”

  With that, he took the boy’s arm and steered him toward the parking lot, but not before the boy looked back at me with eyes just as sad as Lucy and Ethel’s.

  Well, I clearly screwed that up, I thought. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes at my own stupidity. I obviously had absolutely no experience with children and I had just proved it. Who did I think I was interfering like that? But there was something about that little boy—Jonah—that compelled me to reach out to him. That was when I realized that he was just as lonely and alone as I was.

  Chapter 6

  The incident from the day before bothered me a lot; I was having a hard time getting Jonah out of my mind. This was the sort of thing I’d normally discuss with Isabelle—but she wasn’t around.

  So I was glad to have Mavis Anne, Iris, and Yarrow at the house to help decorate the tree. David and Clive had come over earlier to bring it down from the upstairs closet and set it up in the family room.