CHAPTER 3

A beeper sounds, and the man pulls the blinking rectangle from the side of his jeans, glancing at the number. “I’ve got to take this,” he says.

“Oh, sure,” I say, waving him on. “I’m fine, really. Thanks for stopping.”

He starts to say something, then shakes his head, backs up a step and gets in the truck. He raises a hand and waves once.

I watch him drive away, wondering why it feels like an opportunity lost.

I glance around and only now notice a small square sign just off the shoulder. Armand County, GA Animal Shelter. 1/4 mile. M-F 8-5.

I glance at my watch. Four forty-five. It’s either hurry, or make use of the woods just up the hill. I decide to try for the actual restroom, hit the remote lock on the car and take off as fast as my two-inch pumps will allow.

By the time I reach the long building at the end of the gravel road, I’m getting a blister on one heel, and my white cotton blouse is sticking to the center of my back.

The place is sad-looking to say the least. There are no windows, and the concrete block exterior has never been painted. I can hear dogs barking from inside, and I’m suddenly not sure I want to go in there.

But I’m less sure I can make it to the woods now, so I walk to the door and turn the knob only to find it locked. I knock once, then a little harder.

The door opens, and a man in a uniform of brown pants and a tan shirt stares out at me. He’s so tall I have to tip my head back to look up at him.

“We’re closing up, ma’am,” he says.

“My car broke down by the main road, and I’m waiting on a tow truck,” I say, trying to find a smile. “May I please use your restroom? I’ll just be a minute.”

* * *

He considers this as if I’ve just asked him to start his day all over again and the possibility is beyond bearing. With a sigh heavy enough to conjure guilt, he finally steps back and waves me in. “The one up here is broke. You’ll have to use the one in the back. Follow me.”

We walk through a metal door into the shelter’s kennel. Chain-link cages line the walls on either side, some empty, the others containing single dogs. At the sight of us, they all begin to bark, tails wagging in instant happiness, as if convinced I’ve arrived to spring them.