2 Any Meat In That Soup? by Jerilyn Dufresne Page A

awkward than I expected. If this had happened a few days ago I would have been devastated. Funny. My crush on Michael had almost evaporated. I looked at George. Sweet, balding, old, George. The warm feeling that enveloped me was a totally different feeling than what I’d experienced with Michael. That was like a hot flash, which made me laugh when I thought about it.
    “What’s so funny?” George looked at me quizzically.
    “Nothing. I was just thinking about how happy I am.”
    He took my hand again and said, “Me too.” I waited but he didn’t say anything about his earlier unfinished sentences. No matter. I was content.
    Little did I know that my contentment wasn’t destined to stay.

FOURTEEN
    A fter a few well-executed kisses, George dropped me off at home. What was it about his kisses? He had two lips like other guys I’d kissed. But there was an extra intensity, and all the while he was gentle and caring. Though it was hard to describe why, his kisses were memorable.
    I didn’t sleep well. After all, I was used to having Clancy hogging the bed. It felt funny having it all to myself.
    After tossing and turning most of the night, I finally slept for a while and woke up early. By the time the vet’s office opened at seven I had already been in the parking lot for ten minutes. As soon as I walked in, Clancy greeted me with sloppy kisses and her version of a hug. She wasn’t mad at me for leaving her there, after all. This was the first time for that.
    I paid the bill with a handy credit card; no way would I have this kind of money in my checking account. The receptionist gave me a print out with instructions, which included a return in a few weeks “if necessary.” Right now it didn’t look like that would happen. Clancy was indeed her old self.
    As we left I told her, “It’s been weird talking to myself instead of talking to you.” She agreed. “I have so much to talk to you about, but I have to get to work. Two important things—the therapy dog test is tomorrow in Chatham, you’ll have to let me know if you’re up for it. The second thing is I love George.”
    Clancy tried to jump on my lap. “Not while I’m driving.” I pushed her back into her seat. “Does that mean you’re happy?”
    It did.
    “Oh, one more quick thing. I’m going to have you stay with Gus and Georgianne while I’m at work. I know you’re okay, but I’d worry if you were alone. Okay?”
    She was always happy to spend time with my landlords, so no problem there. When I dropped her off I was grateful I had an empty stomach. First of all, Georgianne was in her usual, flower-endowed housecoat, and she made a lot of kissy noises to my friend. Gross. Clancy was my dog and no amount of kissing was going to make her belong to Georgianne.
    Why couldn’t I just give in and be happy that my landlords loved Clancy and Clancy loved my landlords? I didn’t mind that she also adored Gus. So did I. It would take a while for me to forgive Georgianne for the way she had initially treated me.
    It occurred to me then that maybe she felt the same way about her husband as I felt about my dog. She didn’t want to share—at least not with me.
    Gus shooed me out the door with the promise they’d let me know if anything changed. I parted with, “I might call too.” Gus, Georgianne, and Clancy all laughed at that. Of course I’d call. I couldn’t help myself.
    At the office, my first client was waiting for me. It was the young computer whiz, Andy. Before I could say anything, he gave me a note from his mother that had been crumpled up in his pocket. “Andy said it was important I let you know that he did his homework every day and he did well in all his quizzes. He wouldn’t tell me anything else. Please let me know if I can help further.”
    The kid was beaming. He was a far cry from the boy who wouldn’t talk to me a few months ago. He blurted, “So now I can help you investigate about the dogs?”
    I had to tread lightly here. I