Chapter 2 - Heel, Caesar
They were at O'Doule's - down the street from the Stray, sitting at a picnic table in the garden. Quiche and wine for Caroline. Burger and beer for Kate. Caesar was almost sitting by Caroline. A lunch was, Caroline had assured her, the least she could do. She had assured her that the week before, but she had to run to pick up Lawrence from rugby. She required a raincheck. Kate let Caroline override her protests. Lunch with the boss, probably more fun than a root canal, possibly better than another solitary summer Saturday, begun so early and earnestly.
"I have no control over him." Caroline confessed sheepishly when Caesar had pushed himself up to consider the table's bounty. "You, you miserable cur, are to lie down forthwith and pretend to be good." She tugged the leash down and Caesar, whining a bit complied. "His temperament doesn't seem entirely ruined by the experience of me - which I suppose is a good sign..."
"First dog?" Kate asked.
"How'd you guess?" Caroline deadpanned. They both laughed.
"Did you consider cats?" Kate asked.
"Wasn't my decision." Caroline explained. The puppy showed up mid-December in a crate with a big red bow and a card, "Happy Christmas, boys! Love, Dad."
"Isn't Caesar Dad's problem, then?" Kate asked with a wry grin.
"Dad walked out two weeks after Christmass." Caroline said flatly. "No walkies for him."
"Caroline!" Kate said, shocked. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Are you ok?"
"Better now than I was. Not as good as I will be soon enough." she said briskly. Then, the brave front slipping, "but I wouldn't care to repeat any of this last winter again in any of my next six lifetimes." Kate tilted her head and observed her with a gentle smile.
"Want to talk about it?" she asked.
"Not much to talk about." Caroline replied glumly. "I'm a pathetic cliché - middle aged, jilted wife - there's a new model putting a spring in his step. Boys are appalled and embarassed. I've got this dog, who's rather sweet, really - but more than three handfuls." Her voice trailed off.
"Thought of hiring a trainer?" asked Kate.
"Oh no, Kate." said Caroline sarcastically. "The thought never occured to me." Then she sighed. "God, I'm a snotty bitch. Sorry." A pause and another brittle laugh. "You may find this hard to believe," but I don't get on well with trainers."
"No?" asked Kate with a smile. "Let me guess. They have no interest in answering your rather thoughtful questions about contradictions in their assumptions and instructions."
"That was the first one." laughed Caroline.
"Their notion of advice is nothing but bromides and treats."
"Number two," said Caroline, "and please spell that word in front of the children."
Kate laughed and looked at Caesar in mock alarm. "And last guess - They are condescending about your perfectly laudible sympathy for Caesar and have suggested you're not tough enough and wanted you to use a choke collar."
"Our last and final entry in the dog trainer from hell contest." A pause. "Kate?"
"Yes?" she answered, picking up a chip and staring contentedly at it's perfection.
"I don't mean to sound rude, but I hardly know you. How could you possibly know my dog trainer saga so well." Kate sighed, whether in contemplation of the last chip on her plate or memories of watching Caroline direct the operation of the school like Napoleon commanded armies. A sudden unbidden image of Caroline in heels and academic robes, defeated by a cheerful, clueless puppy, with a stroppy trainer sniping at her, rose unbidden to her mind. She smiled.
"It's not you, Caroline," she lied a bit. "It's the story. My dad was a vet. I've heard the original and all the remakes a hundred timess."
"No." said Caroline flatly.
"Actually," laughed Kate, "yes."
"You know about these beasts?' demanded Caroline as though she were referring to griffons or chimerae come to life.
"A bit," admitted Kate with a laugh.
"You've actually trained a dog, haven't you." accused Caroline.
"One or two." admitted Kate.
"Could you show me? she asked. "I've read at least a dozen books. Watched a hundred videos. I think I've nailed the theoretical material perfectly. Alas, Caesar, " she said, bending down to scratch the puppy under his chin, the execution side has been less successful."
"Of course." Kate replied, warmed by Caroline's display of unguarded affection, even if it wasn't directedd towards her.
"Oh, god, Kate." Caroline said earnestly, her sapphire blue eyes fixing Kate's. "I'd be so grateful. I love to have him up to form, if only to spite John. He's taking no small delight in my failure in the Caesar deparment." she said with a fragile laugh. "I'd give anything to spike that smug, self-satisfied, look... But I digress, she said. Caesar, hearing his name stood again and rested his head on Caroline's thigh. She stroked his head and neck and said quietly. "I owe it to him, really. He's been such a comfort these last few months."
"Lucky Caesar," said Kate, her eyes sad and smile bright as she looked on. But Caroline, her gaze fixed on the puppy, did not notice the contradiction.