Alice sat in the passenger seat of the car, trying to look stricken. She couldn’t make herself cry, so she aimed for numb with grief, which was more like Bennie anyway. Luckily it was dark, so no Academy Award performance was required. Grady steered the car from the Penn campus, heading home in silence, his eyes glistening like a complete loser.
“I know how hard a decision that was for you,” he said, his hands on the wheel.
“We did the right thing. It’s selfish to make him suffer.”
“That’s true, but it’s the passing of an era.”
No, it’s the passing of a dog, dude.
Grady hit the gas as the light was about to turn red, and the Lexus cruised forward in light traffic. “You know what’s bugging me?”
Let me guess. Why you can’t get it up?
“It’s bugging me that he’ll be alone while they put him down. All by himself.”
Oh, please. “I can’t stay with him. I couldn’t take it.”
“I know.” Grady slowed the car, cranked the wheel to the left, and made a U-turn. “I want to be with him. I want him to know that we loved him. Wouldn’t you feel better, knowing I was with him?”
Alice suppressed an eye-roll. “But you upset him.”
“Maybe I just surprised him. He used to be my buddy, remember, we ran together? I’ll go and be there with him, so he’s not alone.”
Alice tried to think of the Bennie-like response. She didn’t want to make him suspicious, after Mary’s phone call. “Okay. I really appreciate it.”
“Good. I just hope I get there in time.”
“Me, too.” Alice forced a little hiccup that would sound like a stifled sob. “This is really great of you.”
Grady hit the gas, slid his cell phone from his back pocket, and flipped it open. “Perfect. My battery’s dead.”
You’re telling me.
“I didn’t charge it last night. Do you have your phone with you? I want to call the hospital and tell them not to do anything until I get there.”
“Good idea.” Alice fumbled in Bennie’s messenger bag, but there was no BlackBerry. “I forgot it this morning. I was too distracted. Sorry.”
“That’s okay, we’re only a few blocks away. Hang on.” Grady sped up Spruce Street, running a red light, and they were at the vet hospital in less than five minutes. He parked in the emergency parking, cut the ignition, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You sure you’re okay here?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll tell him you love him.”
“Thank you.” Alice was so bored with all this talk about the stupid dog. “Sorry I’m not coming in.”
“Try to rest, and hang in there.” Grady gave her a quick kiss, jumped out of the driver’s seat, and jogged to the entrance of the hospital, disappearing inside.
Alice breathed a relieved sigh. She switched on the radio and found a hip-hop station playing Usher, then Justin Timberlake and Ludacris came on, and if they played anything sexier she’d be rocking the car all by herself. Finally Grady reappeared at the hospital exit, leaving with his head down. She snapped off the radio and pretended to be dozing as he hustled toward the car and opened the door. She faked waking up and looked at him.
“I can’t believe it,” she said, drowsily. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“You’re exhausted from last night.” Grady gave her a hug, and she could feel wetness on his cheek.
“Was it horrible?”
“Let’s not talk about it, okay?” Grady’s voice sounded husky. “You go back to sleep, and I’ll get you home.”
“Whatever you say.” Alice let herself slump backwards in the seat. She looked out the window as they steered from the parking lot and drove home in silence.
No talk and no sex. We’re practically married.