A sigh deflates my stiff posture. It’s always fun having my daughter call me out. To be fair, I spent a large portion of my life without anyone to trust. Once I paired up with Josey again, all of the delicious gossip poured out of me. Not in front of Millie, of course. She’s just all too aware that I enjoy social hours. There are far worse traits.
I cluck my tongue at her. “This will be more fun as a surprise, baby girl. I promise.”
“You already said that.” Her gaze drifts out the window just in time to see the first fringes of Gulligan Haven. The bold welcome sign can’t be missed, a glorious sight for the most impatient set of eyes. Millie reads the name aloud, her gasp vibrating the steel and glass encasing us.
“Mama! Does this mean what I think?”
“Maybe…” I let the implication hang as we drive across the center drag of town.
“Are we finally getting a dog?” She’s not taking any chances, apparently.
“If we find one that wants to come home with us.”
Millie squeals and doubles her efforts with rattling the car. “This is the best day ever!”
Her excitement is infectious, and my belly swoops with every giddy sound. I turn into the shelter’s parking lot, my foot pressing a little harder on the accelerator. Millie is bouncing in place as I find a spot near the entrance.
A tainted memory tries to worm into this moment. When I was only a bit older than Millie, my parents brought me to the pound to pick out a dog. What began as a highly anticipated occasion of my childhood quickly crashed into smithereens. We left with an empty kennel and heavy spirits. I cried the entire ride home and refused to entertain the idea of another try. “Don’t get too attached to this idea yet, okay? They might not have the perfect fit for us.”
She’s already shaking her head before I finish my speech. “Our perfect pet is here. I can feel it.” Millie presses a little palm to her chest.
My heart threatens to burst from the sight. I cross one finger over another and send up a silent prayer that this pans out. Stealing my daughter’s smile isn’t on the daily agenda.
Millie leaps into my arms when I open her door. I clasp her hand in mine while we walk inside. The precaution is for safety, and in the unlikely case she needs to be reined in. She skips along beside me, tolerating my helicoptering while her mind is preoccupied with visions of puppies.
A woman at the front desk stands as we approach. “Hello there. Welcome to Rover & Meow. How can I help you?”
“Hello,” I greet. “We have an appointment with Kellie.”
“Ah, yes. She’s waiting for you in one of the indoor group spaces—Room Two. Just head down the hall and you’ll see it on the left.”
“Perfect, thank you.” I guide Millie in that direction with a hand on her back. My daughter is practically vibrating with too many emotions, all rooting for control and snagging her voice.
“You okay, baby girl?”
“Uh-huh, yep.”
I offer a soft squeeze to her shoulder. She’s twisting her fingers so tight that the skin is white. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’m just super ready and nervous and freaking out because this is crazy amazing.”
I laugh and brush a kiss to the top of her head. “Love you, kiddo.”
“I love you, Mama. Thanks for bringing me here.” Her shoes squeak on the glossy floor.
“It’s about time, right?”
“I’m glad it’s happening at all.” Her smile lights up the plain white walls with splashes of vibrant color.
My sweet little angel has been begging for this, and I’ve been dragging my feet. My insecurities and concerns hang me up, but those are mine to deal with. Reflecting them onto Millie is plain wrong. Assuming history will repeat is a crippling way to live. It’s my duty to provide a normal life for her.
Millie bumps into me with a giggling snort. She can brighten the darkest hour. This isn’t a freaking doom festival. I twist my neck side to side, forcing my tense muscles to release. The responsibility of this decision will rest on us, but I’ll carry any burden.
We reach the room and I exhale a deep breath. Millie is the one who reaches for me now, giving my hand a much-needed hug with hers. I knock, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. The door opens an inch before the woman swings it wider.
“Keegan?” Her hazel eyes are warm, creasing at the corners with a growing grin.
“That’s me,” I say with a little wave.
The woman’s gaze swings lower, focusing on the little girl clutching to me. “And this must be Millie.”
My daughter doesn’t give a verbal response. Her eyes are fixed behind the lady, to all the yips and yaps spilling out to us. She begins nodding so fast I worry her neck will hurt tomorrow. They exchange a friendly smile that eases the remaining swirling in my belly.
“Well, good morning. I’m Kellie, one of the volunteers. Come on in. These pups are ready to meet you.”
“Thanks for setting this up for us.”
“That’s my job,” Kellie sings. “Getting these babies a forever home is what it’s all about.”
“Millie couldn’t be more excited. Right, baby girl?” I give a light tug to one of her pigtails. She’s still nodding, her wide eyes trying to take in every section of the space as we step inside. Energetic enthusiasm floods the room with each tiny movement.
The acrid odor of rubber and bleach burns my nostrils. A symphony of whines, panting, and soft barks carry over to us. Three dogs are zipping around the rectangular play area. They’re all medium sized, as I requested. That’s one of the few specifications I gave. I wanted this experience to be at least somewhat organic for my little
