Annette fell into her parent's embrace one last time. Darling had just been on the phone and announced to Jim Dear that Annette and Kilian's new owners would be arriving shortly.
Kilian sat respectfully on the sidelines, while Annette said her goodbyes. The dog hadn't been here for a long time, but he was somewhat used to living in the house. It was probably a strange experience, being taken in, when he'd known nothing, but the street life. She always did her best to ensure that he was comfortable.
The awkwardness that left the air a few moments ago, suddenly returned, when he made eye contact with Collette. To say that the two didn't have the best start would be an understatement. Their meeting in the park was the source of the previous tension between Annette and Collette.
He sat their in silence, clearly not sure what to say. The silence continued until Annette nudged him gently. Kilian looked over to her. The way she looked at him made it seem like a whole conversation had just gone by, one that no one else in the room could hear. He turned back to Collette. "Uhm...hello mam. Nice to meet you...again." He added the last part almost silently.
For a second Annette was worried that Collette's mind was made up on Kilian, that her sister would forever hate this dog for being the one to drive a wedge between the two. Much to her relief Collette replied, albeit begrudgingly. "Hello...Kilian."
Kilian opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could, Jim Dear scooped the terrier mix up into his arms. "Alright boy, let's get you cleaned up before the vet arrives." He stopped halfway to the kitchen as if he was forgetting something. Turning around he looked at Annette and patted the side of his leg. "Come here girl."
She stood up and took off on a shaky walk towards Jim Dear. Her and Kilian waited patiently while a bath was being filled. His head was tilted slightly, a gesture that she had long ago come to understand that it meant he was thinking. "What are you thinking about?"
He turned his head to her. "I dunno." He sighed. "I guess there's just a lot going on right now- I really thought I was gonna' get kicked out earlier."
Annette tsked quietly. "I told you that Jim Dear wouldn't just send you away- otherwise I wouldn't have made you come here."
"You would have come with me?" His eyes filled with a hopeful glint that she had only ever seen once. "Really mam?"
She nodded reassuringly. "Of course."
The two sat there, waiting for their bath.
