It’s Sunday morning and Glen is helping me watch the movers take my new furniture into my new apartment.

“So. How did it go?” he asked

I looked at him and decided not to beat around the bush and ask what he was talking about.

“It went ok.” I said “really ok”

“Really ok?” his mouth dropped “that’s all I get??”

“What do you want? It’s not like we looked into each other’s eyes and fell back in love”

“Spencer, are you sure you fell out of love?”

“excuse me?” I’m surprised he even asked me that “It’s been seven years what do you think?”

“Well lets see. It’s been 7 years and how many relationships have you had?”

“a lot. Thank you very much”

“I mean ones that lasted more than a week”

“…ok none”

“And you’ve been back in LA for like three days and how many times have you seen her?”

“Three times… but two of those times were accidents”

“Ok that’s fine. One more question Spencer.”

“Shoot”

“Why are you back in LA? You had a lot of job offers, with a lot of money. You were across the country, and I know you didn’t come back for me, or mom….or dad’s cooking.”

I laugh. I didn’t have an answer for him. I came back to LA because that’s where I was the happiest.

Glen is just looking at me. Knowing he won.

“Stop smirking” I tell him “I’m not in love with anyone”

“Sure, sure. I’ll let you live in your delusion for a bit longer”

I roll my eyes “what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I have to finish a review on a game and then I’m thinking about napping”

“I’m going to the animal shelter” I say “I’m getting a dog”

……………………………………………

The animal shelter is loud. I pass the cages, looking for my match. A Chihuahua…no. A Dalmatian…no. I start to think it’s hopeless and that I’m bound to be alone for the rest of my life, when suddenly I spot him…or her, I’m not sure yet. It’s a chocolate Labrador Retriever.

“Bob” I read the tag. Bob? That’ll have to change. He’s sitting there with his tail wagging and 20 minutes later I’m walking him out to my car. He happily trots over and gives a little bark as a thank you. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but that’s what it sound like. A thank you bark.

I give him a quick pet and scratch behind the ear and let him into the front seat. As I’m driving back, I start to think of names. Bob is far too boring for such a beautiful boy. Lets see…

David? No

Chip? Like chocolate chip? No

George? No

Glen…..well…no, no that’s mean

“How about Brady?” I ask him and he barks in return. Perfect.

The two of us stop at the store and pick up the essentials. Food, food dishes, a bed, a collar and leash, and a tag with his name and my address on it. When we got home it was about time for dinner. I filled up his bowl and popped my meal into the microwave.

I had about 10 seconds for my hungry man meal when the doorbell rang.