Oliver was hanging out the window, looking over the cars as they jostled for position in the morning traffic rush. This day had been awaited for many weeks; the day Dodger finally took back to the streets after an agonising period of rest and recovery. It wasn't just a time of excitement for Dodger, though, with Evie having waited to take to the streets with the full force of the gang behind her. She felt she owed a great debt to Dodger, who'd faced down a most dangerous threat to keep her safe. While she didn't imagine she'd ever really be completely at ease surrounded by dogs, but the bond she now felt with the gang- and Dodger and Rita especially- had given her a greater sense of self-confidence than she'd believed possible after her ordeal.
Evie looked at Oliver and felt a tremor of nerves. Saying that she was ready to face the city on a busy summer's day was one thing, but actually getting out there and experiencing it was quite another. Last time she'd ventured out, it had landed her friends in hot water with the demons of her past, and though it was irrational now, the experience had increased the young cat's apprehension.
"Relax," Oliver said, sensing his friend behind him. "This is going to be fun. As long as you're with us, you'll be totally safe."
"Didn't they lose you the very first time they showed you around? Safe, my tail!" Evie scoffed, but somehow felt better. She was going to be with friends, and there was nothing that could boost her confidence more.
"Like Dodger always says; 'when you've got your pals, you've got all you need'. And you're gonna have me, no matter what."
Just a few streets away, the dog himself was dancing through his domain, not missing a single step as he slipped through the traffic; it was as though he'd never been away. Around him in a circle of wagging tails were the rest of the gang- united in the place where they belonged for the first time in two months. Running behind Dodger, Rita kept close to Einstein, whose increasing habit of absent-mindedly drifting away had to be kept on top of. She nudged his side, encouraging him down 5th Avenue, and towards Oliver and Evie.
"Dodger, hey!" Oliver hollered, hanging out the window.
"Ollie," Evie hissed, "be careful!"
"Hey, don't worry," he said, turning back to her with a smirk so reminiscent of his canine friend's, "I know what I'm doin'."
Dodger bounced on the pavement, for one paying no heed to maintaining a cool composure; he was excited, and after the couple of months he'd just been through, he couldn't help but show it. He was quickly joined by Rita, Tito, Francis and Einstein, who were all feeding off their leader's energy and barely containing their own eagerness to get going.
When Oliver tumbled out the door, he made a beeline straight for Dodger, and greeted him with an enthusiastic face-rub. "I almost didn't recognise you without the bandage!" he teased.
"An' how did I wind up smashed to bits anyhow? Whose butt was I savin'?"
Evie's small furry face appeared at the door. She peered out, her heart pounding. Had she waited too long to take this step? The world outside looked all too vast now that she was on the edge of stepping out into it. For Oliver, going beyond their own safe walls was nothing, and he'd never even think to hesitate. How she envied him. It wasn't just nerves that had her stomach doing flips either; she had not seen Dodger or Rita since they arrived back at the Foxworths', grievously wounded and patched up as best as possible. They'd almost died, and Evie could only blame herself. How could she face them? She bit her lip, suddenly struggling to fight the urge to retreat back to safety.
"Going somewhere, little kitty?"
A startled Evie jumped around to see the figure of Georgette, a figure who had been a source of grief for much of her stay with the Foxworths. "G-Georgette… I was going…"
Georgette cut across her, as if forcing herself into something she knew she'd quickly talk herself out of. "I've not really done this myself, either." She scowled, unable to believe what she was about to say. "Why don't we both try something new?"
"You want to come with me?" asked Evie- once she'd picked her jaw up off the floor.
"I don't know if want is the right word… but yes, I'll go with you."
Evie beamed, truly touched. Something had shifted in Georgette since the sleepless night several weeks ago, when the threat of Evie's past caught up with Dodger and Rita. The change had not gone unnoticed by the young cat, who suspected that the sheltered poodle had been given a stark reality check about the realities of the street life that Evie had once faced alone. "That'd mean a lot. Thank you."
"I think -no, I know- I'll regret this, but, you're welcome."
The motley crew set out all together, with Dodger proudly striding forward in the lead. Oliver was right behind him, while Evie was so close to her friend's side that they had to be careful not to step on one another's paws. Bringing up the rear, the reluctant Georgette was, of course, getting reacquainted with her part-time lover, Tito.
"So, they're… on again?" Rita asked Francis, an eyebrow raised.
The bulldog shook his head. "I can only assume so; I have long since passed the point of following."
Rita laughed. "To be honest, I think he likes the drama of splittin' up and gettin' back together. Whatever makes 'em happy, I guess." She was quietly grateful of her own romantic relationship, which was now stable and easy. Having gone through a brief separation, she had no intention of it happening again, nor did a totally committed Dodger. They knew how to make their partnership work, and it could only go from strength to strength from here on out.
"Where are we going, Dodger?" Einstein called from his safe spot by Rita's side. In the weeks since his misadventure, he'd not become lost once, thanks to the vigilance of his friends. His tendency to become disoriented hadn't diminished; if anything, it was more obvious now that everyone was actively looking out for it, but he was able to happily plod along without a care- with his pals around, there was no reason to worry.
Dodger turned, feeling immediate satisfaction at the sight of the gang all together again. "We're takin' 'em to Times Square. Nothin' like jumpin' in at the deep end. There an' back should be far enough."
Evie didn't know what or where Times Square was, but she knew what 'jumping in at the deep end' meant. Suddenly anxious, she looked up to Rita, who was coming along behind her. "There aren't… lots of dogs there, are there?"
"Don't worry, child. It's not exactly dog central, but plenty of humans and traffic. Will give you a good idea of what this city's all about. But you can even ride on my back if you're feeling nervous."
The walk wasn't a long one, but Rita found herself very busy ensuring that neither Evie nor Georgette stumbled under an oncoming car, in addition to making sure Einstein didn't wander away from the group. She had no doubt that Tito would be insulted and enraged if he knew she was looking out for 'his woman', but there was no way he'd have the physical capability of helping Georgette out in an emergency, so she subtly kept an eye out. When the group stopped to look out into the bustling square, Rita could finally relax.
"Here ya go, kid," Dodger said, stopping on a corner and gesturing to the bright flashing screens and chattering humans all around. "Really somethin', huh?"
Evie gazed upwards, on the verge of a sensory overload. "Woah," she breathed. It really was something, but she struggled to take it all in.
"Evie, are you okay?" Oliver asked, concerned. He moved closer to her, so she could lean against him if needed.
"It's just so big."
"It's a lot to take in," said Rita, kindly, "just sit and watch- see if you can get used to all the noise and activity. You don't have to go any further; you can even take a step back if you want."
Evie crouched, Oliver right by her side, taking the time to get a hold of her surroundings, while the rest of the gang began to move off, showing Georgette a fast-paced part of the city she'd barely seen. As the little cat looked around, she realised what it was that those dogs loved about this place so much. It was loud, it was frenetic, it was dirty, it was bright; there was a pulsating energy that ran through the place, and the dogs somehow seemed to be totally in sync with it. How exciting, Evie thought, it must be to feel part of something so big. This must be why Rita called them 'streets of gold'.
When Rita came by again, Evie was ready. "Is it still okay if I watch from your back?" the little cat asked, feeling brave.
Rita crouched down to let Evie clamber on up. "Just relax, kid. You're safe with me. Coming, Oliver?"
Oliver surged forward, weaving through the jungle of human legs, all the while aware of Rita just a little way behind him. He ran to join Georgette and Tito; seeing the pampered poodle out and about with the gang was quite a turn up for the books, and he wasn't going to miss it.
"See?" said Dodger, "You got this, kid. Piece a' cake."
Evie smiled shyly, as Rita walked backwards across a zebra crossing, turned to chat with Georgette, who looked more than a little out of her element.
"Does Winston ever take you out this way, or is the park more his style?" she was asking, comfortable enough in her surroundings that she needn't look where she was going. "Once you get used to the hustle and bustle, it's fun; you'd never run out of scents to smell or sights to see."
Georgette winced, another one of those 'fun' smells reaching her nose. "The park is more our scene- though I've ventured so some of the high-end pet boutiques uptown. At least it's busy enough here that I'm not going to be seen by anyone I know…"
Laughing, Rita reached the other side of the road and began walking by the poodle's side, pride evident in her every step. "Your secret's safe with me, sister." She winked. Georgette wasn't a bad sort really; they'd likely never be close, but there were the beginnings of a friendship there. That Georgette had made kind overtures when Rita was hurt had not been forgotten. "I think Tito's your tour guide; he'll get you to all the romantic spots that your fancy suitors never find."
Tito puffed his chest out proudly. "I know how to treat my woman! I gotta show you a real date; I had baths for you- this makes it even."
"Ugh," Georgette groaned, realising that her giving in and being seen in public with the mangy little Chihuahua would only have strengthened his resolve to pursue her. Truth be told, though, she wouldn't have it any other way. "I'll go out with you only if you have been properly groomed. Today is your exception, and that's just for Evie."
From up on Rita's back, Evie was enjoying the stroll through the busiest parts of the city. She'd spotted only one other dog amongst all the humans, and hadn't felt fearful. Frequently, she'd look down to Oliver, and he'd look back up at her, always concerned for how she was coping with the adventure. "Thanks so much for coming, Georgette," she said earnestly, "I don't know if I'd have done it if you hadn't given me the last push; and I'm so happy I did."
"You're doing great, Evie," Oliver said, beaming up at his friend, who'd made him so very proud.
There was sudden shouting, and Einstein bounded towards the mutt, a box of fried chicken hanging from his jaw and Francis running along behind.
"Looks like lunch is served," Rita said, wagging her tail.
"All right!" Tito yapped, jumping forward, "lunch is on, baby!"
Making a quick retreat back to the relative peace and quiet of the park, the gang settled down under the cover of foliage to enjoy their ill-gotten gains. Einstein puffed out his chest proudly; he was old, but he wasn't ready for retirement quite yet.
Georgette sniffed at the meal, unimpressed. "You can't tell me that's not horrifically fattening." She winced imagining the impact on her figure.
"Baby, that's why it's so good!" Tito crooned, already climbing face-first into the box.
Dodger smirked. "Relax, champ. I'm sure we can get this polished off without your help."
Under the cover of all the shady trees and underbrush and with her canine companions settling down to eat, Evie could relax at last, and gambolled around the dogs' feet in an easy gaiety that had eluded her for so long. Oliver couldn't stop himself from joining her; all the while looking at her with utmost adoration.
"See how he looks at her?" Rita whispered to Dodger, "Our kid's growin' up." She smiled warmly, somewhat relieved that this foray with Evie had not been beset with panic as she'd begun to envisage. The little cat found security in her friends, and Oliver's growth into a responsible and caring protector had made all the difference. Rita imagined that as long as he was there, Evie could do anything.
Dodger watched, and realised that his jealousy of Evie was now truly a thing of the past. Oliver had plenty of room in his life for friends, and what he had with Evie was something completely different. With Evie more confident and Flint out of the picture, Oliver would be spending more and more time living it up with his favourite mutt, and Dodger knew that things would only be looking up from there. Besides, it wasn't as if he was lonely- not at all. "Growin' up, growin' away… guess I can live with it."
"You drive me crazy, you know that?" Rita said, and she gave Dodger's cheek a lick. He just grinned, full of himself, but with ill-disguised affection behind his eyes.
"As long as you can live with a little crazy," Dodger said. "You pretty much keep me sane, so I guess we're a perfect match."
Rita stretched out in the grass, settling down to just enjoy being with her family in the place she loved. Living on streets of gold with her soft-centred daredevil of a hard man was worth whatever crazy might be thrown her way. She leaned her head against Dodger's foreleg and returned the grin. "Honey, you might just be onto something there."