Читать книгу Like Cats and Dogs - Alexis Stanton - Страница 8

Chapter Four

There wasn’t much room for debate—Laura had put her bags in the master bedroom first, so, unfortunately, Spencer had to concede the field to her. He’d removed a few items from his luggage and brought them into the smaller bedroom.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked, pointing at his suitcases.

“Maybe by tomorrow, one of us will be gone. I’m just taking the necessities for tonight.”

“For all we know, the person leaving tomorrow might be you.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“We’ll find out in a few hours.”

She scowled, but it didn’t make her any less adorable.

He retreated into the smaller room. But it was just for the night. Hopefully, everything would be sorted out soon.

She wandered off somewhere while he contemplated his clothes. The urge to unpack everything was strong. Whenever he arrived at a new destination, one of the first things he always did was unpack. It gave him that sense of stability and security he craved.

As he took out only the items he’d need for the night and set them carefully in the dresser, he imagined that Laura’s version of unpacking was to throw everything on the floor. That kind of messiness would never have been tolerated at his grandparents’ home. Since his parents had been off on their adventures, Gram and Gramps had practically raised him, and he’d learned from an early age that an untidy room was frowned upon. He’d never lost the habit.

That made it easier whenever he was over at Susan’s spotless apartment. She was just as clean and organized as Spencer, and it would have caused too much friction if he’d walked on her carpet wearing his outside shoes, or left a napkin on the coffee table.

As Mozart watched from the bed, he smoothed his hand over the shirt he’d placed in the dresser. Even if no one was going to see him while he toiled away on his dissertation, he knew he’d never be able to get any work done if he sat around in sweats like some kind of undisciplined slob.

No doubt Laura would just laugh at him if she saw how orderly he needed his person and workspace to be. She probably laughed a lot—when she wasn’t being irritated by his presence.

The silence over the house struck him as odd. Had Laura gone out? Maybe she’d abandoned the house completely. He couldn’t decide if he liked the idea or if it made him vaguely depressed.

“Want to explore a little, Moz?” he asked the cat.

She blinked at him in response, which he took as a cat version of a yes. Gently, he scooped her up in his arms and left the bedroom. She purred lightly as he carried her downstairs. One of the things he loved about her, and cats in general, was their independence. They took care of their own needs and when they wanted affection, they sought it out with an available human. It was a neat and orderly exchange.

Of course, as a kitten, Mozart had been a little more difficult to anticipate. Spencer had come home from leading a discussion section only to find her crouched atop his kitchen counter, with the vintage salt and pepper shakers lying broken on the floor and a satisfied look on her face. She’d also unraveled an entire roll of paper towels.

As he entered the living room downstairs, he found himself looking for Laura—which, like his fondness for his pet’s willful nature, came as a surprise.

He spotted her through the windows. She perched on one of the Adirondack chairs, aiming her camera at the lake. That was unexpected. He wouldn’t have thought she’d have the patience for photography.

For a moment, he considered going back upstairs, or possibly heading to the media room to watch an old movie. Something urged him forward, however, and he headed outside with Mozart still in his arms.

He opened the door leading to the back patio and stepped out cautiously. “Is it safe out here?”

Laura didn’t turn around to look at him or even put her camera down. “Frank is upstairs in the bedroom. Asleep.” As Spencer stepped out onto the patio, Laura added over her shoulder, “It’s not all his fault, you know.”

Blaming a dog for human error would be silly, so he said nothing. Instead, he noted the camera in her hands. She seemed comfortable with it. He slowly eased toward her.

“Nice camera,” he noted. “My dad had an N90.” His mom used to joke that his dad was too busy taking pictures to notice if a bear was attacking. Children weren’t allowed on Peace Corps assignments, so between the ages of two and twelve, he’d lived with his grandparents, who would tuck him in at night and read him letters from his mom and dad.

His parents would come back from their Peace Corps assignments with a suitcase full of undeveloped film. After the pictures were processed, they would sit on the grass in his grandparents’ backyard and look at all the exotic places his folks had been. Ghana, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Ukraine—places he’d searched for on maps so he knew where to find his parents. Spencer had been both afraid of traveling so far and deeply wistful to visit distant lands with his parents.

The camera had been donated to charity, like most everything, after his dad had passed. Spencer hoped whoever had gotten the Nikon took pictures of happy things, even if no one used film cameras anymore.

“You’re a photographer?” he asked Laura now as she snapped another photo.

“Me?” She looked mystified by the idea. “No, not really. I just like to take pictures.”

Interesting. “Can I see some?”

She shook her head vigorously. “No. I don’t ever show anybody. It’s just for me.”

That got his attention. She seemed uncertain of herself, even though it was clear she enjoyed photography. “Why not?”

The doorbell rang, and she jumped up, almost eager to escape answering his question. “Oh, that’s for me,” she said as she hurried inside. “I ordered pizza.”

“Of course you did,” he said to the space she’d occupied. Pizza had been off-limits at his grandparents’. They’d insisted it was junk food fit only to feed desperate animals.

He brought Mozart back inside, just in time to see Laura carrying a pizza box to the kitchen counter. She opened the lid and he had to stop himself from deeply inhaling the delicious aroma of cheese and bread. Junk food is a no, remember?

“Mm,” Laura said appreciatively. “Want some?”

He set Mozart down beside her bowl. “No. Thank you,” he remembered to add. From the fridge he pulled out some celery stalks. “I’m eating raw this month.”

“Hm,” she said with a skeptical look. “I don’t suppose your cat wants any either?”

“Definitely not,” he answered. “Mozart is on a very special diet.” He glanced at his cat as she nibbled on the expensive hypoallergenic food he’d purchased from the vet. She had allergies, and the wrong kind of food made her itchy and uncomfortable.

“Frank pretty much eats whatever falls on the floor,” Laura announced, like it was some kind of badge of honor that her dog was basically a garbage can.

“There you go, then,” he said with a shake of his head.

She picked up a slice of pizza. “What do you mean?”

“The difference,” he replied. “Between cats and dogs.” Cats demanded things to be exactly the way they liked things, and dogs were…undisciplined. Chaotic.

They also lavished unconditional affection on their owners. Which sounded kind of nice. What would it be like to be the recipient of something’s—or someone’s—complete, unreserved love?

He realized with an unpleasant sensation in his chest that he didn’t know.

Unaware of his thoughts, Laura took a defiantly big bite of pizza. She made a noise of appreciation aimed right at him. “Delicious.”

Two could play at that game. He chomped down on a celery stalk. It didn’t taste very good, but it was good for him. Still, she didn’t need to know that it had the flavor of soap. “Mm, delicious,” he said around a mouthful of celery. He made himself smile.

They continued to eat in silence, and despite the fact that the smell of the pizza tempted him, he dutifully chewed his way through celery and carrots. He would do the right thing, even if he didn’t like it.

Wanting some space from Spencer and his vegetables of doom, Laura called for an Uber and made the journey across town to Rose and Kenny’s house. Her college roommate now lived with her husband in an adorable cottage on a tree-lined street. As Laura stood on the curb, holding Frank’s leash, she was struck again with a feeling like being a leaf on a breeze, just wafting around with no direction and no purpose.

It was like her photographs. She loved taking them, loved capturing the mood of a place, but there was nothing special about her pictures. They didn’t say anything about her. Anyone could have taken them. She definitely wasn’t going to show them to Spencer, who’d probably try to use them to analyze her like a psychology subject.

“Clearly, the person behind the lens needs to get a life,” she imagined him saying.

Not everyone can be Professor Perfect, she said to herself. All work and no play.

But Rose is happy, Laura’s thoughts reminded her. She’s going somewhere. She’s building a life.

Laura pushed those thoughts down as she approached the front door. It wouldn’t be very much fun for Rose if she showed up at her home full of complaints and confusion.

She rang the bell and waited, eager to catch up with Rose and also vent about Spencer. It was more satisfying to complain to a human than to her dog.

The door opened and Laura said, “Hi!” But everything else she’d planned on saying fled when she saw her friend’s big, round belly. Rose was pregnant. Very pregnant.

“Surprise!” Rose cried, flinging open her arms.

“Oh my God,” Laura couldn’t help but stammer. “Yeah—surprise. My gosh. Hi.” Words of any meaning or significance flew away as she eyed her friend’s dramatic change. The paths of their lives veered apart, and Laura felt both happiness and sadness.

“I know,” Rose said wryly. But then she hugged Laura, and Laura eagerly returned the hug. Despite Rose’s belly poking into her, it felt good to be back in her friend’s arms.

They moved into the house. “Your place is so great,” Laura exclaimed. She took in the beautiful woodwork and built-ins that made the snug house appear even more adorable. Perfect for a family.

“Is that Loony Laura?” Kenny came out of a room and pulled her in for a hug.

“Is that Crazy Kenny?” she asked with a laugh. He was like the brother she’d never had. They had all been friends in college, but Kenny and Rose had progressed from teasing friendship to marriage. Some people thought that Rose and Kenny had married very young, but it was hard to argue with the love in their eyes whenever they looked at each other.

Rose led her to a couch as Kenny headed into the kitchen. “How do you like your rental? The pictures made it look gorgeous.”

“It is,” Laura answered. “Except someone else thinks it’s gorgeous, too.”

“What do you mean?” Rose asked.

She made a face. “There’s another tenant. A grad student who brought his cat with him while he works on his dissertation.”

“Seriously?” Rose looked appalled. “How does Frank feel about that?”

“You know Frank,” Laura said fondly, gazing down at the dog sitting at her feet. “He just wants to play.”

Kenny came back into the living room carrying a tray with a teapot and mugs. “Wait, so there’s a guy in your place?”

“Yeah,” Laura answered. “It’s just a mix-up with the rental company. It’s fine.” She didn’t know why she was downplaying the situation. It wasn’t like she and Spencer were on friendly terms.

“Why don’t you come stay with us?” Rose suggested.

“That’s very, very sweet,” Laura said at once. “But I’ve already paid for the house. They’re not going to push me out.” She’d like to see Spencer try. Hah! She’d just laugh in his handsome face. “Don’t worry. It’s only for one night, and plus I’ve got Frank to protect me. Right, Frank?”

He wagged his tail in response and looked at her with adoration. Who didn’t like dogs? They were so full of energy and love.

“All right, well,” Kenny said, “if you ladies will excuse me, I’ve got a nursery that’s not going to paint itself.”

He bent and kissed Rose. Laura pretended to be interested in her tea rather than remind herself of the fact that she was on her own—again.

Once she and Rose were alone, her friend said brightly as she poured some tea, “I thought you were going to bring David. You guys make such a cute couple.”

“Yeah, well,” Laura muttered. “Now he’s making a cute couple with someone else.”

It had been difficult to break up with him, but despite his protests that he wanted to be with her, it hadn’t taken him long to find somebody new. Laura had actually spotted David and his current girlfriend at the coffeehouse she and David used to frequent. She’d turned around and gone home, without her favorite iced blended vanilla latte, extra whipped cream.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Rose said.

“No, it’s okay.” Laura sighed. “It’s my fault, mainly. He wanted a commitment and I…” She looked down at her lap. “I just wasn’t ready. I feel like I’m not ready for anything.”

“What do you mean?”

Laura searched for a way to describe feelings she didn’t understand herself. “I mean that…” Thoughts and sensations bumped up against each other. “I’ve been out of school for over a year and I feel like I’m just lost.” She waved at Rose’s round stomach. “I see you and Kenny, and you’re having a baby. You’re getting on with your life. But I’m still at home, working at my parents’ accounting business.”

She hated how difficult it was for her to simply be elated for Rose, instead of thinking about her own situation. Why couldn’t she just be glad for her friend’s happiness?

“It’s a good job,” Rose pointed out, echoing thoughts Laura had already entertained.

“I know,” she said. “But it’s their job, not mine.” She picked up a mug of tea. “I’m just scared that I’m going to wake up some morning and see my mother staring back at me in the mirror.”

It wasn’t that Laura’s mother was a bad person or even a boring one. But her mom was her own person, and Laura wanted to be herself. Whoever that was.

“Okay.” Rose nodded. “So what do you want to do with your life?”

“That’s just it,” Laura answered, barely holding back her frustration. “I have no idea. At all.”

Rose looked at her with sympathy, and though Laura knew she could rely on her friend to see her through the toughest times, there were some things a person had to figure out for themselves.