After a few weeks with their foster pet the Brooks family spent some time at the park with her again. This was one of Martie's favorite places, and the girls watched her carefully. Charles and Liza sat on a nearby bench as the girls led the dog around the park. An elderly woman approached them.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but watch the dog with your girls. I hope this isn't weird but she was my sister's dog. I'm Yolanda."
"I'm sorry, what?" Liza asked.
"I'm the one who told the shelter volunteer that you could take her. I asked where she was living, if you were in the city."
"I thought that was against the shelter's policy?" Charles asked.
"It is, but we were able to bend the rules a bit. I know the volunteer personally. Please don't tell on me. I don't want her to be fired for disclosing that. I just live a few blocks from here. Martin loves the park and I thought you might come here again. My sister had me watch her while she was in the hospital. But my landlord says no dogs."
"What's wrong with your sister? If you don't mind my asking?" Liza inquired.
"Well, she fell again at home. We told her she had to move and give up Martin."
"Oh I'm sorry," Liza stammered, unsure what to say. "Unusual name, you know, for a girl dog."
"At first I wondered why Anna named her that. But that was the name of her last few dogs. She's had a pet for many years, she just reuses the name."
"Interesting strategy. Not to be too forward, but what do you need from us?" Liza was confused if Yolanda wanted the dog back now or was just being friendly.
"I just wanted to make sure she was doing okay. My sister asked me where she was when she got home. I started to feel guilty. When your girls started playing with her that day, I just let her go with you. It was a bit cowardly on my part."
"The girls love her. But we know it is temporary," Charles said.
"I will let you get back to your day. But I wanted to say something. Even though I shouldn't. Maybe it was wrong to approach you," Yolanda timidly stammered.
"I'm glad you did," Liza said, offering her a handshake. "You probably already have our information from the shelter, but I'll give it to you just in case."
After exchanging phone numbers, they said goodbye to Yolanda. Liza decided not to mention the run-in to the girls.
Several weeks later, Liza got a call from the shelter. The owner was ready to take back the dog. The girls were sad at hearing the news over breakfast, not wanting to let go yet. As they left for school, Liza got dressed for work. Charles had started writing early in the study, and hadn't yet been informed.
Liza decided to give Yolanda a call.
"Where do you live? I can bring the dog to you. Or if that's weird, meet you at the park," Liza offered.
"Actually, my sister Anna lives all the way in New Jersey. I wouldn't want to trouble you," Yolanda replied.
"It's no trouble," she said. Liza took the address and agreed to take Martie back to her owner that evening. Then she called the shelter and let them know. They were pleased to not be bothered with the transition, as they were understaffed that day.
"Let us know if you want another pet to foster. We are always looking for new families," the shelter volunteer said.
She told her she would let them know after talking to her family. At this point she felt bad about the girls being personally invested in another animal.
Once she found Charles, she felt even worse about what she had to tell him. Martie was nestled on his lap as he read his latest rough draft of a new manuscript.
"I guess we are making a trip to New Jersey then," Charles said quietly.
"You want to come?" Liza asked.
"I might as well. Tell her goodbye. Make sure she's happy." He was bothered that their time was up, even if he didn't say so directly.
She noticed he didn't look at her as he spoke. He glanced at Martie, his eyes looking watery.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"I'm just fine. Thanks." This time when she looked at him, she could see he was visibly upset.
"I know you kind of like her too. It's not just the girls who will be sad. I'll miss her."
"I'll miss her too. She is a good writing buddy." Charles had spent nearly every day when he wasn't in the office with her at home. He had taken her on countless walks and they were developing a bond.
Liza had read about how dogs all have a favorite person. She knew that he was Martie's.
"This place where her owner lives, I know it. It's the next town over from where I used to live with my ex." She viewed the map on her phone.
"Let's drop her off together. The girls can stay at home. I'll call a babysitter to stay with them," he said.
"They aren't too happy. But I'm glad they said goodbye this morning."
"You're right. It will be easier."
Charles and Liza arrived at a home in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. As they rang the doorbell and waited, they looked around. The porch had piles of newspapers sitting unopened. A woman in medical scrubs greeted them. Martie barked and wagged her tail.
"I'm Trudy. Anna's home health worker. Come on in. I think she's still awake."
After twenty minutes went by, they got concerned. They couldn't stand here all evening.
Finally, Anna emerged. She was holding onto her walker and moving slowly across the living room, which was attached to her bedroom. A hospital bed was visible from the front door. Martie walked over to her hesitantly, then jumped onto an ottoman near Anna.
"Let us come to you," Liza suggested. She felt bad watching Anna struggle to reach the door. They moved into the living room and sat down where they could, finding empty spots on both ends of the sofa. The center cushion was stacked with bulging file folders. It was an avalanche waiting to happen. Anna sat down gingerly on an electric lift chair.
"I'm sorry this place is so cluttered. I'm having a yard sale soon before I move," Anna said.
"It's okay. We're fine sitting here," Charles mumbled unconvincingly. He had never sat on a sofa this uncomfortable before. Liza could tell this dainty piece of furniture wasn't meant for a person of his height. Even she felt like she was sitting on a child's playroom chair. She smiled at him, and he shrugged in reply. He glanced at the file folder tower.
"So, Yolanda said you have children. That they took care of my baby?" Anna asked.
"They loved her. So many great memories," Charles said, shifting in the tight corner of the sofa.
"Did you bring any pictures?" Anna asked. Liza was surprised by this question. She assumed they would drop Martie off with only a few pleasantries, and leave quickly. Anna seemed to actually be interested in their time with Martie.
"Yes, on my phone. Would you like to see?" Liza asked. Anna nodded.
As they scrolled through the pictures, she saw Anna's face change. Liza described what was going on in each picture. Some were in the park, others were taken at home. She laughed as she told Anna how Martie had tricked Charles into taking her to the office. "She just followed him out the door one day. Refused to go back inside. Wouldn't take no for an answer."
"Martin seems really happy with you."
"We were glad to have her. And we wish you luck on your move. Let me get the food and toys from the car." Charles cleared his throat and stood up, making his way to the door. Liza could tell now that drawing out the goodbye process was harder for him than she realized. He was well trained at shutting emotional doors. She smoothed off her skirt and stood up.
"About that. I've been thinking," Anna said slowly, stopping them from leaving. "Maybe it's time Martin and I parted ways."
"What do you mean?" Charles asked.
"I think Martin belongs with your family. I thought I wanted a dog in my new place, but I see I was being selfish."
Charles started to smile as he began to comprehend her words. "Are you sure?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes. It's getting harder for me to take care of a dog and it's time to say goodbye. I didn't want to admit that to my sister. I would want Martin with a nice family."
"So, what do you think?" He asked Liza.
"I think we should bring our newest family member home," she answered with tears in her eyes.
After saying goodbye to Martin, Anna gave them all of her vet records. Although Anna was sad to move on, she knew she was making the right decision.
On their way home, Liza asked for a favor. "Would you mind making a detour here? There's something I wanted to see."
They made their way to a suburban neighborhood, following Liza's directions. She had Charles stop a little bit back from the house, not wanting to be seen. It only took him a few minutes to realize where they were.
"This is where I used to live before I moved to the city," she said wistfully.
Liza could see that the house was well kept. There was a minivan in the driveway and children's toys scattered in the yard.
"I hope whoever lives there now, they end up happier than David and I did," she remarked. She wiped a tear away.
Charles reached over and held her hand. "But you're happier now, right?"
"I am. It's just, that was such a big chapter of my life. I guess I never really let go completely."
"I think grief is like that. It gets a little easier but never is gone. There are always leftovers. Things that catch us off guard that we thought were buried."
"Like finding lost dogs that remind you of the past?" Liza asked.
"Right. Things like that. We don't know why it bothers us, after all that time. But it does. It wasn't even Toby I was the most upset about. It was the situation. I couldn't do anything right. It's all been connected in my mind," he shared.
"You're right. Coming here, seeing what I lost. It still hurts. Even now that I'm in a much better place emotionally." Liza stopped her words from spilling out, realizing they could drive away. She wasn't stuck here anymore. "Let's go home."
They silently pulled away from the house, their new dog happily staring out the car window.
After a quiet ride, they brought their new pet home. They would have a few paperwork matters to handle, but officially Martie was their dog. They paid the babysitter and went upstairs to tell the girls. Nicole and Bianca were still awake and overjoyed at hearing the news. They all crowded on Nicole's bed with Martie.
"Do we really get to keep her?" Nicole inquired.
"Yes, we do. When the owner saw your pictures with her, she realized it was time to give her up," Liza explained.
"I'm so excited! Aren't you, daddy?" Bianca asked.
"Yes, I really am. I cared about her leaving us more than I let on," Charles admitted, petting Martie's head.
The girls had a celebration for their new family pet, taking adoption day selfies with her. The family could already tell Martie would be a good addition to their household. This tiny dog's presence in their lives had already helped them more than they realized.