Close to You

Charlie the Chinese Crested

Disclaimer: I own no one!
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"What is that thing?" Randy asked, glimpsing the creature. Trish looked around, and then, her eyes settled on the animal in her bag.

"Meet my new dog," she said, patting the dog's head. "Randy, meet Charlie,"

"That thing is a dog?" Randy asked. The dog had almost no fur, except for a few tuffs around its head, paws and tail.

"First off, she isn't a thing. She's a Chinese Crested, which means she's hairless. Secondly, she's as sweet as can be!" Trish exclaimed. Charlie yapped.

"Second question, what's up with that carrier?" Randy asked. Charlie was in a pink leather carrier that had Austrian crystals on the side.

"I liked it," Trish replied. Glancing down at the dog's paws, Randy's eyes widened. Did the dog have purple nails? "I see you noticed the pawlish,"

"Don't you mean polish?" Randy asked. Trish shook her head. "When did you get a dog?"

"Chris surprised me with her," Trish said. She thrust the carrier into Randy's arms. "Hold her," Randy glanced down at the dog.

"Hello, Charlie," he said, unsure of what else to say. Trish set out a mat. On top of the bright pink mat, she placed two metal bowls. She filled one bowl with bottled water. The other bowl she filled with premium dog kibble.

When Trish took the dog out of the carrier, Randy was surprised. Trish had the dog in a purple hoodie! What was going on? Why was she treating this dog like a baby?

"Trisha, why is your dog in a hoodie?" he asked. Trish rolled her eyes. Did Randy know nothing about dogs?

"Because it's cold outside," Trish said matter-of-factly. "Since Charlie's hairless, she gets cold easily," Randy rolled his eyes.

"She's kind of cute," Randy muttered. He was not sure what else to say in response to his best friend's strange dog.

"I need a favor." Trish said bluntly. Randy closed his eyes. What did she want now? "I need you to watch Charlie tonight,"

"You want me to baby-sit your dog?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yeah," she said. Randy closed his eyes. He had to baby-sit something that resembled a hairless rat?

"Fine," he said. After all, she was his best friend. What could he say?

That is how he ended up on the beach with Charlie in her bright pink carrier. He had never felt more foolish. He was gay, but that did not mean he enjoyed carrying around the carrier.

"What is that?" John asked, approaching him. He thought he was hallucinating. His boyfriend was NOT carrying a bright pink handbag. It couldn't be happening.

"Meet Charlie," Randy said, opening the side of the carrier. The puppy poked her head out. "She's Trish's new puppy."

"Um, that's a dog?" John asked. Randy nodded.

"She's a hairless Chinese Crested. Trish had a date with Chris in a restaurant that didn't allow dogs. She doesn't want to leave her alone," Randy explained. John began to snicker. He had not wanted to, but it was too funny. "C, shut up!" John fell to the sand, laughing.

"Come on, Rand! You have to admit it's pretty funny, with your pretty pink carrier," he said. Randy gently smacked him in the side of the head.

"One sec, Charlie," Randy murmured, digging through the carrier's side pocket. He pulled out a small purple sweatshirt. Gently, he picked up Charlie, removing her from the carrier. Gently, he managed to get the hooded sweatshirt on her. "Better?" Charlie yapped. Randy placed her back in the carrier.

"Did you just put a sweatshirt on the dog?" John asked, fascinated. Randy nodded, gently scratching the puppy behind the ears.

"Because she's hairless, she gets cold easily." Randy replied. "What do you want to do for dinner?" John shrugged.

"Pizza at the café?" he suggested, nodding in the restaurant's general direction. Randy nodded. That was fine. In fact, it sounded excellent!

"Don't tell Trish, but Charlie's growing on me," Randy said, setting out a small bowl of dog kibble. John nodded, watching the puppy hungrily crunch the food.

John could not help but notice how Randy cared for the animal. He was kind, and gentle. It was obvious the younger man had a lot of love to give.

"Ready to head back to the hotel?" Randy asked. John looked at him. Had he forgotten that they were staying at different hotels?

"Um, we're staying at different hotels," John murmured. Randy nodded.

"Do you want to head back to the hotel, and relax in the room? We can order a pint of vanilla ice cream. Maybe, order a horror movie," Randy murmured. John nodded. That sounded good.

They went back to Randy's hotel room. Randy ordered a pint of vanilla ice cream, and ordered the latest horror movie. Then, they crawled into bed.

"I have to piss." Randy announced. John glanced away from the screen. Why was he announcing this? It seemed so strange. "Did I just say that?" John nodded.

"I guess this seals it. We're really a couple," he said. Randy nodded, retreating in the direction of the bathroom.

While Randy was in the bathroom, John glanced down at the puppy. Her front paws were on the bed, and she was glancing up at him.

"Do you want to come up here?" he asked, staring at the puppy. Softly, she yapped. Gently, he scooped her up. She turned around three times and settled near his head.

John hadn't realized it, but Randy had seen him. He had seen John tenderly pick the dog up. He had seen John gently place the dog on the bed.

He had seen a side of John rarely seen by others.

Trish came back two hours later. She was exhausted, but overall, it had been a wonderful evening. She had really enjoyed herself. Chris was something special. In fact, she was certain he was 'The ONE'.

"Chris!" she called, in a sharp whisper. The blond Canadian turned his head. "You have to see this." Chris followed her into the hotel room. The scene before him made him snicker. The scene before him made him grin.

John and Randy lay sound asleep in a tight embrace. Above them lay Charlie, sound asleep.

It truly was a sight of love.

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This chapter is done! I loved writing this. It all came so easily. Hope you enjoyed this, and thank for your reviews!

-JenLea

Read, Review but most of all… ENJOY!