Blake's POV

    After finding Queen safe and sound by the back door, not lost but found and having a small dinner with my son, I decided to have a little fire going in the backyard for all of us, hoping not to disturb the neighbors and their stocky pure white American Pit bull terrier. While outside, we lounged under the navy blue sunset and buzzing stars, at peace with the bright orange flames.

Not that I have anything against the breed (pit bulls are adorable dogs when raised by the right owner), this one was just massive, overly obsessive, and pesky with a very hyperactive awareness, and he could occasionally overwhelm my boy. Though, he's taken a liking to Queen through the rustic white fence separating the neighborhood homes. They kept barking back and forth, begging me to wonder what dogs actually talk about when humans aren't around...

Once Queen caught a glimpse of me looking, she suddenly padded my way. It was almost as if I ensnared her in a trap of some sort with my own mind, demanding she come over here with just a stare. So weird how dogs are resilient, adaptable.

      Liam stuffed his mouth full of marshmallows and tried to speak, "Could Queen have one?"

"Yes, only one. Wait, no! I'm pretty sure they contain high concentrations of sugar and calories that could be potentially dangerous for her," I told him, draining his mood. But wanting to uplift it, I added, "I think I might have something better though—something far more delicious. I was able to snag this off the shelf at the store."

Queen's wet snout perked up with interest, tilting her head to the side as I pulled something out of my pocket. A surprise she was compelled not to ignore.

      Holding out treats, she stood up on her hind legs. I gave one to Liam to give to her, a Blue bone she sniffed and licked straight from the palm of his hand when he was ready to give it to her with a happy, softened bark, and then it was my turn.

      These treats were made with high quality meat and no corn, and I knew she'd probably like it better than gooey marshmallows anyways, so with it in my hand, she stayed standing on her back feet, staring up at me with wide, innocent doe eyes. I had full control and her complete attention. Full control, yeah right. She lifted her head for a curious whiff of what I was presenting to her and then I gave in to her without any further thought, succumbing to her sweet innocence and good manners out of nowhere.

Once I settled down from the comfort, I saw what the time was. It was getting late and Liam had school the next morning. "Sadly, that s'more you have there, buddy, has to be the last one. It's bedtime," I said apologetically, giving my son a pat on the back.

"Okay, but can I have the last piece of chocolate?" He asked.

"Sure, take it and head upstairs and get in your pajamas. Make sure to brush your teeth and I'll be right there."

        As I pet Queen's scruffy head and silky smooth back, I watched as Liam effortlessly escaped into the living room. I pondered in my thoughts for a second before extinguishing the blazing fire-pit and heading inside myself. Nothing like a quiet moment to soothe the mind.

       "Queen, how do I tell him I met someone and want to see someone new? Someone who's not his mother, someone who makes me feel a type of way I can't describe, a type of way I haven't felt in a long time, but someone who could potentially come into his life someday if I choose to start dating again?"

       As I gazed down at this beautiful opportunity we've taken, this amazing dog we didn't ask for and was blessed with, I rambled on, no longer with questions, just feelings about this unknown girl. "This woman I met, she's someone I can finally be myself around. Someone who I can finally take to a book store and buy all of her favorites. Someone who I can show off walking down the block going past the vet office where that bitch Cheryl works. I never imagined myself doing that with my wife without her putting on a mask and becoming someone else. She was never happy, so I could never be, but this time, it feels different. Emma's so beautiful and outgoing, and I can't believe I found her. All the missing pieces in me settle in place when I'm around her. Almost like we met before, which is impossible. Queen, she takes my breath away...I—I just don't know how to explain it. And I don't know how to tell Liam..."

        ...

    Eventually, I went inside.

    It took another reading of a children's book to get my kid snoring as loudly as a bulldog bat. This time the book was called James and the Giant Peach. It was good. It put me to sleep right after.

     Out like a light, and awaking on the couch to the light from the windows blinding me, I was asleep with my dog. Snuggling her for hours, my memory was fogged over how we ended up there. Feeling the brisk night turn to a simmering day, I jolted up.

      I can't believe it! I thought. How could I possibly forget? It was a school night!

      I helped Liam get to bed and completely forgot about my own routine. I had a school meeting at nine thirty with the principal. Yeah, even as a teacher, I often feared the principal. Classes, otherwise, were canceled.

      Liam attended a different school, and therefore, still had classes, so it made it easier not to get distracted by his education. But, still I woke up on a sun-baked, lazy morning to wake him up, make him breakfast, and send him off to the bus stop.

       As he got dressed and finally came downstairs after deciding his outfit for the day —in a Marvel Comics Spider-Man t-shirt and jean shorts— and I placed a bowl of his favorite cereal in front of him, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, I attempted to make conversation. In any way I could, I wanted him to know he can always talk to me.

       Choosing to share how I met Emma, Liam's the best person to talk to, and so understanding. I felt like this could be the best way to connect with him and bring it up. "So, guess what stupid thing I did while at the store yesterday getting the meat we needed for dinner?"

"What? You embarrass yourself?" Liam asked jokingly, taking a bite of his cereal with a "mm".

"How'd you know?!" I exclaimed, surprised he guessed so quickly. And correctly. "I did exactly that! Dropped some meat I was going to buy on a poor woman's foot, feeling horrible about it."

          "What happened after?"

           "Well, at first I apologized to her. I couldn't believe what I did. Without minding it, she said she was completely sorry for being in the meat's way instead..." I laughed. My son didn't.

Just a sense of knowing, he caught on. "Do you think you might like her...this woman? Is this the part of the conversation where you tell me you like her or something, and you might be going out with her someday?"

"For being my son, you're too smart for your own good sometimes. But yes, I think I might like her and want her to come over. Possibly dinner tonight, if that's alright with you?"

"I wouldn't mind. She sounds super nice if she can handle you," he joked again, taking another bite. "I hope she likes dogs, too."