LEAF AND MARGOT

A laser beam of light hits my face through the cracks of my blinds. Groaning, I step out of my bed and follow the pitchy singing of the hardwood to my front door. Lazily pulling it open without opening my eyes, I said, “Good morning Mrs.Weathersbee. Your newspaper is under your—” I jumped back fully awake.

“Ruff!”

I gaze down to see a creature. Why is there a dog on my doorstep? “Hi there, buddy. Are you lost?” Looking around, I spot a note with a number. Walking inside, I set the leash down and grab my phone.

“Hello,” the caller chimed.

“Uh, hi. Are you… Leaf?” I asked, reading the name from the card.

“Oh no, honey, that’s the dog’s name. My name is Lindsy,” she said.

“Okay… Lindsy. I have this dog here. I think he’s lost.”

“Well, by looking on our list, Leaf belongs to you.”

“What do you mean he’s mine? I’ve never seen this dog in my life.”

“It says here you left the airport last night, correct?”

“Yes, I did. What does—”

“And did you try any samples at the airport?”

“Yea.”

“Well then leaf is right where he needs to be.”

Pacing through my living room, I try to make sense of that phone call. And did you try any samples at the airport? starts ringing in my memory. Pushing past napkins and mint wrappers, I feel my skin graze against a liner. Unravelling it, a note clear as day is inside.

A life alone is a life not lived.

I look back at Leaf taking his dog tag to find an address or name. But what I find makes my palm heat up. “This can’t be…” I said, reading my information. I grabbed my keys, his leash, and headed to the elevator. “Sorry leaf, your cute and all, but you can’t stay here.”

Stepping out of the car, I squint my eyes to avoid the sun. “Sweet Coves Animal Pound.” I step up towards the brown building and pull on the doors handle.

“Hello?”

Nothing but an empty reception desk and clipboards are present. I grab one sitting in the nearest chair.

Clacking heels, a lady with a purple suit sat behind a reception desk.

“Hi, I filled out this form. Is there something else I need?”

“I’m sorry? We don’t have any forms.”

My eyebrows nearly touch as I peer down at the counter. Mints and tiny cakes are spread across it. “There were forms right here—look!” I shove the clipboard in her hand showing her the written information.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, but we don’t take pets here.”

Looking back at the words on the front door to confirm my anxiety, I’m halted by the words that say Sweet Coves Poundcake Center. “What—It said—” I took a deep breathe. “I just need to return this dog. Do you know a place?”

She searched for a place on her computer. “There is an adoption center on 43rd street.”

Before grabbing the door to leave, I was caught by the receptionist asking me, “Did you want to try a sample before you go?”

I recalled how I got into this mess. The words “No thanks” escaped me faster than I could think.

Grabbing the steering wheel, I glanced at my rear-view mirror. Leaf smiled back at me. I narrowed my eyes. “Nice try, Leafe, you’re not getting off that easy.” I changed gears and said, “Next stop, a new home.”

Big letters enveloped me as I pulled up to the adoption center. Closed until further notice, great. I ran my hands down my face. “Are you kidding me?” Closing my eyes, I tried to find another plan. The park.

Walking through the park, grass prickled my ankles. I picked up a stray ball and threw so far I lost sight of it. Leafe followed behind it. Hesitantly, I pushed myself towards my car.

“What a day,” I whispered to myself. Every memory left weight in my chest that I had never felt before. I was brought out of my daze when a sound in the distance broke my focus. Reaching my door, I looked out to see a dog with a ball in his mouth. Squatting to leaf’s eye level, I took in his features. I shared a smile as the flutter in my heart became anew. “You just won’t go away, will you?” Inhaling, I reached for my phone and listened for a familiar voice.

“I take it you felt the feeling,” Lindsy said.

“What feeling?” I asked

“The feeling of love.”

“What is this exactly?”

“We look for people that are in need.”

I looked at Leafe lying in my lap with hooded eyes. “Yea, I guess you were right. I spent all day trying to get rid of him, you know.”

“I know, I was there.”

“Are you some kind of fairy?”

“Not exactly, more like a guardian angel.”

“So… what now? I can’t take care of a dog. I can barely take care of myself.”

“Trust yourself, Margot. But if you ever need me, find a lady in a purple suit. She will guide you to me.”

Once again I was accompanied by the sound of silence.

“I’m sorry for leaving you at the park,” I said to him.

He responded by licking my face, causing me to groan in disgust.

“Alright, let’s get you something to eat?”

“Ruff!”

As I stood, I grabbed my keys and his leash. On our way to the elevator, I turned to him and asked, “Do you like pound cake?”

Indiago Virgil from sweet St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland. In her free time, she continues her media journey through various platforms. Follow her on Instagram @crunchabletakis