Isaac

After a restless night of tossing and turning, I wake with a certain realization that I need to clear things up with Sophie and let her know I don't consider her a girlfriend. She's a sweet girl, but we don't have much in common, and I just can't pretend anymore. Sophie's vision of the future is so different from mine—filled with parties and social functions.

I try to imagine Sophie helping me in Africa, and I can't picture it. She might be fine to visit sometime (especially if the vacation includes something exotic like selfies with elephants that will make her a hit at the dinner parties). Living there on and off indefinitely, though? She can't even imagine the difficult lives of the people I work with. It's not easy work. It's a heavy responsibility. I don't know anyone who even wants to take it on other than those I work with, and possibly Beth if she was ever able to break away from her family's stifling grasp. It was her dream once, anyway.

Sophie doesn't even know me. That's the craziest thing. I've been letting this girl kiss me and she knows next to nothing about me. She hasn't bothered to ask.

I stayed up late talking with Beth about her options. I can't believe she came so close to walking away from the competition. Peter had been no help at all. He was all understanding and reminding her that family does come first, after all. What does he know about how complex this situation is? I was relieved when he left and I could finally talk some sense into her. Fortunately, Sophie joined me, and together we were able to convince Beth that she should finish the competition.

By the time Sophie and I returned to the inn, it was after midnight. I hurried to my room before Sophie could kiss me again, though I could tell she wanted to. I feel guilty receiving Sophie's kisses when my heart belongs to another. This isn't fair to either Beth or Sophie. I don't know if I still have a shot at Beth. Even if she won't have me, I know Sophie isn't right for me.

I pull out the album and look at the picture of me and Beth for the twentieth time. I am reminded of the life and the woman I once wanted, the life I'm beginning to dream might be possible for me again. I know Beth wants to put our past behind her, but I think I can convince her to be part of my future. I know her heart is with her home and Olivia, but it was once her dream once to go to Africa and do the things I'm doing.

I remember talking about her dreams while strolling under the red elm trees along Harvard Way. Her eyes shone as she described the work she hoped to do. I wonder how much of what I do now was originally her idea, and how much of it has become mine. In some ways, our dreams have become intertwined. If I can only remind her of that dream, convince her how much these people need her, maybe she will be willing to work with me.

The other tricky thing is she can't help me unless she finds a way to also care for Olivia.

One thing is certain. The only way that I can possibly convince Beth to consider me is if I break up with Sophie soon. She would never want to cause pain to a friend. So as much as I'm not looking forward to it, it's what I will do.

The two remaining team members and I gather together to discuss our plans. Sophie is shooting her video today, and I don't want to upset her beforehand. She needs to focus completely on that task first. There will be plenty of time to break the news to her afterward. She spends the morning perfecting Snickerdoodle's outfits and practicing her presentation on me. She has it nailed. Pete, the other member of my group still in the competition, is well prepared also.

Sophie's plan for her video is to show the product in action, trapping kinetic energy within the dog's clothes to power any small device with a USB port. The latest prototype has come a long way from its initial stages. Sophie had turned her passion for animal fashion into a line of dog clothes that reflect the sun, keeping the animal cool and comfortable underneath, much like a windshield reflector. My idea had been to incorporate the kinetic energy component into the product, making her a standout in two categories - textile and energy. She still has a long way to go in developing it, but she has already accomplished an amazing amount and I hope the investors/judges will be able to appreciate the vision.

In this competition, alone there had been several inventions that trapped kinetic energy and transferred it into electricity. The advantage to our model is canines build up kinetic energy a lot faster than humans due to speed and stamina. In other words, let the dog do the work.

Sophie has decided a dog park is the best way to demonstrate the potential of her clothing line. She's hoping to show Snickerdoodle in several different outfits, gathering kinetic energy and showing the convenience of letting the dog's energy charge a thin, lightweight battery that can be used to power small devices.

After a delicious breakfast, a van shuttles Sophie and me to the dog park. The filming crew are already there when we arrive. I'm surprised to see I recognize one of them.

"Peter! I didn't realize you were going to help film the pitch," Sophie says.

"I wasn't sure I would be able to either. I was lucky that my business trip was called off last minute and I was freed up. Let me introduce you to my guys," he says. "This is Dominic, Luis, and Vern. Now, Miss Sophie, why don't you show me what you have in mind here."

I lean against the company van next to the other guys and watch her walk through her plans with Peter.

"So Peter owns the company, I take it?" I ask casually.

Luis laughs.

"More like half of Nantucket Island. That's not much of an exaggeration," Luis says. "He inherited his father's real estate business."

Ah. So, apparently that's what makes a guy worthy in Aunt Alice's eyes.

"Really. Does he do this often? Shoot with you guys?"

"Never. We've been giving him a hard time that he's only here to flirt with the ladies," Vern says, nodding toward Sophie. "Can't say that I blame him."

I laugh with the guys, but inside I'm annoyed.

"So, is there someone he likes in particular?" I ask.

"He kept going on about someone, didn't he Vern? What was her name? He's known her since they were kids. I think her name starts with a B. Becky. Betty. Something like that," Luis says.

"Beth?" I ask.

"That's it," Luis snaps his fingers. "She must have made quite an impression on Peter. I haven't met her yet. Do you know her?"

"Yeah," I say. "She's great."

It seems like there will always be another guy—David, Greg, Peter, whoever, blocking my way to Beth. I wonder if Peter was her summer version of me. Surely not, or she wouldn't have tried to convince her father to bring me to the island that one time. It's a good think I'm clearing things up with Sophie today. I don't want to have to compete against Peter for Beth.

Sophie and Peter return to the van to discuss their plans with the others. The guys set up their equipment and filming begins.

For the first half hour, everything flows smoothly. Snickerdoodle clearly knows she's the star of the show. She prances and poses and plays with other dogs in the park. I'm not necessarily a dog person, but I can tell this is going to play out well on the camera. If the video turns out half as well as I imagine, Sophie has a good shot at winning this competition.

I feel a twinge of guilt as I think it. I probably should have mentored Beth after all, even if it would have been distracting. If Sophie beats Beth, it will likely be because of the changes I recommended for her product.

A beat-up blue pickup truck pulls up not far from the van. A short man wearing a red muscle shirt and brown ball cap gets out. His dog, a German Shepherd with a scruffy black coat and a tan patch on the neck, prowls in the back. The dog seems fine, until the man pulls out the leash. It bares its teeth and growls, then lets out a furious set of barks and snaps at his owner. The owner yells at him and gives him a swift kick in the side. The dog quiets down and the man attaches the leash. There is something eerie about the stillness of the dog and the way it eyes his owner. It's almost as if it's waiting for him to turn his back.

The stirrings of uneasiness have escalated into fear. The man heads toward the walking trail, right in the direction of Sophie and the others. I need to warn them. There's something very wrong with that dog.

I jog out to join the others and explain my concerns to them.

"I don't know," Peter says. "We're on a tight schedule. I don't think we can sit around and wait for them to leave."

"We're fine," Sophie says impatiently. She gestures at the German Shepherd. "Besides, he looks fairly harmless from here. We're so close to being done."

I try to put as much urgency as I can in my voice.

"You don't understand. I saw him nearly attack his owner. That dog is unpredictable. I think we should wait until he's gone."

"Well, he seems to have it under control now," Sophie says. "We're getting such great shots. I say we finish now."

"Whatever the lady wants," Peter says. "Isaac, I need you to move back so you're not in the shot."

Reluctantly, I step back a few paces and stand there with my arms folded.

The crew goes back to filming and I keep my eyes trained on the German Shepherd. So far the man seems in control of his dog, and I wonder if I'm being paranoid. Then the dog lets out a series of booming barks. Snickerdoodle barks back and tears off toward the other dog. Sophie runs behind her dog, calling her name. In the excitement, the German Shepherd goes ballistic, barking and lunging and knocking his owner to the ground. The owner loses grip on the leash and the dog charges Snickerdoodle.

The owner, the other guys and I are all running now, but we're not nearly close enough. Sophie reaches Snickerdoodle just before the German Shepherd and puts her dog behind her. It leaps onto Sophie and knocks her to the ground, ripping into her.

We all arrive around the same time. The owner pulls his dog off Sophie and curses at it. The rest of us are staring down helplessly at Sophie. There's blood covering her shoulder and side. Pieces of skin dangle from gaping wounds. I feel dazed and sick at the sight of so much blood. We need to take care of her. Take her somewhere. A hospital.

I feel someone shake my shoulder.

"Isaac," Beth says urgently. "Call 911. Now."

I pick up my cell phone and give the dispatcher directions on where to find us.

Meanwhile, Beth has everything under control. Peter is pressing his sweater to Sophie's wound to staunch the bleeding. One of the video guys is helping the owner maintain control with his dog. The other two are holding back the curious onlookers and keeping Snickerdoodle from attacking the German Shepherd. Beth is talking softly to Sophie, who is laying there unresponsive, with glassy, blank eyes.

We are joined by Cole and Selena.

"How is she doing?" Cole asks. His face is ashen.

"I have no idea," I say, still shaken.

"Beth had a feeling we should stop by to see Sophie. I can't believe she was mauled by that dog," Cole says.

Beth stands up and walks beside me. I repeat Cole's question.

"I don't know," she says. "Sophie's lost a lot of blood. How did this happen?" I recount the story to her.

"Beth, it's all my fault. I tried to warn her I knew the dog was dangerous. She didn't believe me. I gave up too easily. She wouldn't be there if I had convinced her."

"It's okay, Isaac. It's nobody's fault. Accidents happen."

"Poor Sophie," I say. "She didn't deserve that. It was almost like I knew it was going to happen. I should have insisted she stop the shoot."

The ambulance shows up. Two EMT personnel check her vitals and attach a bag of fluids to her arm. They load Sophie onto a stretcher and secure her inside the vehicle. There is a brief discussion as to who should ride in the ambulance. In the end, it's decided Beth will go with her. When she regains awareness, I want the face that fills her view to be the one she is most familiar with.  

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I can't imagine how traumatic that would be for Sophie to be attacked by the dog that. And of course, Isaac still hasn't had the opportunity to have a heart to heart with Sophie. Any guesses on how the accident will affect Isaac's ability to talk to Sophie?

The song is one of my latest favs - "Love Runs Out" by OneRepublic. Can't get enough of it.

So I wanted to give you guys a heads up that due to some other obligations (including packing and preparing to move), I will need to change my publishing schedule for RESTLESS HOPE to once a week instead of twice. So moving forward indefinitely, I will be posting every Friday. I hope you will all understand! I so appreciate my readers. <3

Dedication goes out to good-is-strength! Thank you so much for your awesome comments and insights. I appreciate you. To check out good-is-strength's writing, click on the link.