43

Jackie Young

"Come on Ray. You gotta walk faster girl," I said as the toddler speed-walked to catch up to me, curls bouncing everywhere.

"We get the pink one?" she asked breathlessly as we reached the wall of dog collars.

"Your puppy is a boy, baby. Don't you wanna get him blue or green?" I held up a cute teal one for emphasis.

She didn't even blink.

"No."Pointing aggressively at the sparkly pink one."The pink one."

I sighed because I'd already lost. "Alright princess. Whatever you say."

I grabbed it off the rack and tossed it in the cart. By now, I've learned: negotiating with a three-year-old is like arguing with TSA, pointless and mildly traumatic.

A whole month had passed since I last went to LA and promised Ray a dog. Angel had work in Vegas this week, so I offered to keep Ray with me while she worked .What Angel didn't know was that today was puppy pickup day.

A breeder five minutes off the strip had a litter of miniature dachshunds, and Ray lost her whole mind when I showed her pictures. I didn't hesitate to drop the $1800.

Whatever made her happy.

Whatever made them happy.

After grabbing toys, a bed, treats, grooming stuff, and the expensive puppy food the breeder recommended, I got Miss Girl buckled into the car seat I now permanently kept in my backseat. She swung her legs excitedly the whole ride.

"We see him now?" she asked every thirty seconds.

"Almost," I kept saying.

"Now?"

"Almost."

"Nowwwww?"

"Almost, Ray."

"Too long Jackie," she muttered, crossing her tiny arms.

I choked on a laugh. "Don't talk to me like you forty."

She huffed and looked out the window dramatically. "I just want my puppy, Jackie.""And you gon' get him," I reassured her as I pulled into the breeder's driveway.

⸻

The man opened the door with a smile. "You must be Jackie."

"Yessir," I nodded.

Ray hid behind my leg for all of three seconds... until she heard a tiny bark.

Then she sprinted inside like she owned the place.

"PUPPY!"

A little chocolate dachshund dashed toward her, ears flopping, tail wagging like he was about to take flight. Ray dropped to the floor instantly, giggling so loud I felt it in my chest.

The pup climbed in her lap and immediately started licking her hands.

"Jackie! He love me!" she squealed.

"I think he does, mama," I said, heart melting.

"It's mine?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"All yours."

She hugged him like she was trying to fuse their souls together. "I gon' be his mommy."

The breeder laughed. "Well I see this is going to be a great fit."p

He handed me the paperwork and care instructions while Ray tried teaching the dog how to sit, badly.

Once everything was settled, I scooped her AND the dog up, carrying both out to the car.

"What do you wanna name him, Baby?"

"Him name is Cupcake!" she cheered.

"It's a boy, Ray."

"So? Cupcake boy."

I sighed. "Cupcake it is."

She grinned triumphantly.

⸻

Ray was buckled in, holding Cupcake like he was a newborn. He kept licking her fingers while she giggled nonstop.

"Jackie?" she said softly.

"Yeah, princess?"

"Mommy gonna be so happy."

I smiled because I already knew.Angel was gonna scream, yell, fuss... then fall in love.

"We gonna surprise her good," I nodded.

"When she come home?" Ray asked.

"She gets here tonight."

Ray whispered dramatically, "her gon' smile and be happy."

I laughed. "I hope so nugget."

Then Ray leaned forward as far as the seatbelt let her.

"Jackie?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

I froze a little.Not the scared kind of freeze.The kind where your heart trips over itself.

I turned and smiled at her. "I love you too, Ray Ray."

She grinned, hugging Cupcake closer.

And as I started the car, I couldn't help thinking...

Angel  had no idea what she was walking into tonight.

⸻

An hour passed fast.

Ray rotated between watching Bluey, checking on Cupcake every three minutes, and asking me, "Mommy here yet?" like some kind of deranged alarm clock.

By the time Angel's car pulled into the driveway, Ray was already pressed against the blinds.

"She's HERE!" she whisper-screamed, which defeated the purpose of whispering at all.

"Okay, okay, come on," I laughed, grabbing Cupcake gently and putting the pink collar around his tiny neck. "Let me hold him until it's time."

"No," she argued, placing her hands on her hips. "I wanna tell Mommy."

"You are," I said, crouching to her level. "I'm just holding him so he don't pee on you while you yell."

She nodded like that made perfect sense."Okay, Jackie."

We hurried into the foyer. Ray stood right in front of the door, bouncing on her toes. I held Cupcake behind my back.

The front door opened.

Angel stepped in, hair up, sweats on, bag over her shoulder — and she froze when she saw us.

Ray immediately looked at me, eyes wide.

I mouthed, go.

She exploded.

"MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY—SURPRISE!"

Angel blinked. "Surprise? Baby what—"

I stepped forward and revealed Cupcake like Simba on Pride Rock.

Ray threw her arms up. "WE GOT A PUPPY FOR YOU, MOMMY!"

Angel's jaw dropped so hard I thought it unhinged.

"JACKIE."Her voice went through three different registers.

I winced, holding Cupcake out like an apology offering. "Surprise...?"

Ray grabbed Angel's leggings. "Mommy this Cupcake. He's a boy. He sleeps in his room. His necklace is pink."

Angel stared between all three of us.

Then she made the face.

The one that meant she wanted to fuss but couldn't.The one that meant she wanted to be mad... but was already in love.

"Oh my God," she muttered, hands on her hips. "Jackie... a whole DOG?"

Ray gasped dramatically and clutched her chest. "He not a DOG. He's CUPCAKE."

Angel lifted her hands. "I— okay. Right. Sorry."

I stepped closer. "You mad?"

She opened her mouth.

Paused.

Looked at Ray, who was watching with the biggest smile known to humankind.

Then she shook her head and exhaled. "No. I'm... I'm really not."

Her eyes softened at the tiny brown pup wriggling in my hands.

"Come meet him," I whispered.

She did — slowly — crouching in front of me. Cupcake licked her fingers immediately.

Ray squealed. "HE LOVE YOU MOMMY!"

Angel laughed — that real, genuine, belly laugh I hadn't heard in a minute — and looked up at me.

"How would I ever stay mad at you?"

I shrugged. "Pretty girl privilege?"

She rolled her eyes but her smile said I was right.

Ray hugged Angel tight. "We a family now."

Angel froze for a breath.

Then she kissed Ray's forehead. "Yeah, baby... we are."

I felt something warm hit my chest. Something I wasn't sure I was ready to name out loud.

But whatever it was — I wanted more of it.

Cupcake yipped in Angel's hands.

Ray clapped. "Let's go show him his room!"

Angel's head snapped up. "His what?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "So... funny story..."

Ray grabbed her mom's hand."Come onnnn Mommy! Cupcake's room is pink too!"

Angel turned her head slowly, eyes narrowed at me.

"Jackie."

"Yes ma'am?"

"You gave the DOG a bedroom?"

"That's what she told me to do!"

Ray nodded. "I the boss."

Angel groaned.

I grinned.

Cupcake barked.

And our night officially began.

Excuse all errors Ajah