Mum went out hours ago. I’m not sure where? She was nervous and excited. She seemed very happy, even though she smashed her car today. She was driving Sunshine to a friend’s house, but came home a bit stressed. Someone else had to pick Sunshine up from our house. Mum can’t drive her car.
She took ages getting ready. Trying on outfits and discarding them… and cleaning the house with even more energy than usual.
Now I’m just waiting for her to come home. I like it when she sits on the couch and holds me like a baby.
Oh, wait. Here comes a car down the driveway. It’s not mum’s car. Hers is smashed up and sitting in the carport. It’s a little silver car. Mum is getting out, but so is someone else? Hang on. It looks like a man. It’s not Ted or Billy or Brian. I don’t know many other men. We usually only have women and children here. Who is this man?
Mum comes in the door, and I greet her with my usual jumping around, excited, and happy to see her. But hang on. The man. I must bark at him. I always bark at men. They’re intimidating and scary. But this one seems different?
I sniff him. He has a dog. Old, female, Golden Retriever…he likes dogs.
They come in and sit on the couch. Mum goes to the kitchen, and I take the opportunity to give this guy a really good sniff. He pats me and is friendly. Mum hands him a drink. I position myself between them on the couch. They are both paying me attention. Mum is rubbing my belly, and what’s this he’s doing to my ears? It feels amazing.
Mum says the new man is called Stu. Stu has a soft voice, and he makes Mum laugh a lot. I think she really likes him. He doesn’t ignore me or try to get me out of the way. I think he really likes me.
Maybe I’ll see how much he likes me. I’ll jump up on the back of the couch and put my head on his shoulder…he doesn’t flinch. Mum laughs and tells me I’m cute. She’s always doing that.
I settle in and snuggle up to Stu’s neck. I throw a leg over his shoulder for good measure. I drift off to sleep, thinking that Stu is a good guy. I like him.
Read more of Kylie’s work at mountainashchapter.com.au, blossomkitty.com or kylieeklunddenman.com
