Chapter 14
“So now you have a dog?”
Myron sat on the bench inside the wire fence of the dog park making faces at the slimy tennis ball that Booger kept dropping at his feet.
“It’s Lindsey’s dog,” Walker told him, picking up the ball and tossing it to the other end of the park. The dog took off like a shot after it, not letting a little thing like tripping over his own feet stop him from reaching his target.
“Sure don’t look like Lindsey’s dog.”
“She can’t exactly bring the dog to work.”
“Why not? He doesn’t slobber near as much as Eugene does.”
“Ha ha.” Walker tossed the ball again.
Booger went nuts after it.
“So what’s really bothering you?”
“Nothing. It’s a nice day. I thought you’d like to get out, that’s all.”
“It’s a nice day at Shady Grove and I don’t step in dog poop there.”
“I told you, that’s just mud.”
“And you’ve got that assy face again.”
Walker tossed the ball one more time, but Booger was too involved in something under the doggy slide. Walker sat down next to Myron.
“My dad called. This morning, after . . .” Walker wasn’t sure he wanted to explain about the door and Jake. It was complicated. Never mind last night, and the complications he had created with Lindsey.
“Ah. What’s he want?”
“Nothing, he said. Just wanted to tell me he’s getting out.”
“Oh yeah? He’s a free man after ten years and he wants nothing from you?”
“He wants to come visit, see what I’m working on.”
“Huh.”
“I didn’t tell him where I am, and I didn’t invite him. But he’s Red, so I’m kind of expecting him to show up any minute.”
“I’d be interested in seeing him again.”
Walker gave Myron an eyebrow. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“What’s he gonna do, swindle me out of my money? No problem. I ain’t got any.”
“I just think . . . the further he stays away, the better.”
“Well, if he bothers you, you can sic your dog on him.”
“Not my dog,” Walker said. Booger rolled in the mud, then chased his tail.