Concentration
Chapter 13
Mike had not realized how socially awkward Hannah was, but her whole childhood had been stunted. The social cues she might have learned in school never happened. Dinner was a disaster and Mike wasn't sure where else to take Hannah, other than to home. As he drove, he noticed Hannah looking at some signs.
"Something interest you?" Mike asked.
"Pet Adoption Day?" Hannah said pointing at the sign. Mike turned his turn signal on and turned them towards the tent where they were doing the adoptions.
"Your mom will kill me for this." Mike said. He and Hannah got out of the truck and she looked at the various kennels.
"Its too expensive." Hannah remarked.
"Let's see what they have before giving up." Mike said. Hannah followed him into the tent and they began walking through. Suddenly, she knelt down in front of the crates.
"What's wrong with this one?" Hannah asked one of the attendants.
"Her name is Daisy. That's what we call her anyways. Her mom was hit crossing the road and I suppose she is lonely." The woman answered. She opened the crate and pulled the mixed-breed puppy out.
"She is very small." Mike remarked. Hannah was scratching the puppy's ears.
"We've been feeding her some milk replacement but I would say she's only about a month old." The attendant said. Hannah was now holding the puppy close and she didn't even need to ask, even though Mike knew he would be in hot water with Christine.
"Can you get me whatever paperwork I need to sign please?" Mike asked her.
"Sure can." The woman answered. She rushed over to a nearby table and Mike knelt down next to Hannah, who was still holding the puppy.
"She's so tiny." Hannah remarked.
"We'll get her to growing in no time. I will explain it to your mom." Mike said before scratching the top of the puppy's head.
"Will she be mad?" Hannah asked.
"Probably not mad. Just agitated with me." Mike answered. He stood up to sign the paperwork and was given a bag of puppy food, some milk replacer, puppy pads and a toy or two. There was also a leash. All that they would need for a puppy for a day or so.
"I'll take care of her, Daddy." Hannah said. Mike just smiled down at her. Daisy had nestled into Hannah's shirt and was falling asleep.
"I'll help you." Mike promised his younger daughter. Once everything was signed, Mike opened the truck door and held the puppy while Hannah settled in the truck.
Mike wouldn't define Christine's reaction as anger because she noticed how much happier Hannah seemed. She was only slightly irritated that Mike hadn't talked to her first, but watching the girls play with Daisy occupied her and Mike found a box to use for Daisy until he got a crate for Hannah's room. Christine was cooking supper and Mike walked up behind her and kissed the back of her neck.
"You mad?" Mike asked. He had put his arms around Christine before realizing it was a very intimate position. He thought about dropping his arms but Christine wasn't reacting to his touch.
"About a puppy? Nah. Not worth getting mad over and its sure made Hannah happy." Christine remarked.
"Does me hugging you like this bother you?" Mike asked.
"No. Its you. I can smell you and your touch is different. More reassuring and softer. I can feel the love." Christine answered.
"You can smell me? That's not reassuring." Mike teased.
"Your aftershave, soap and shampoo. I used to hate the smell of sandalwood but now; it's a favorite smell." Christine responded as she turned around and gave him a long kiss.
"I remember that perfume you used to wear. It smelled like limes and something else." Mike remarked.
"Bergamot." Christine answered.
"I need to find that perfume again." Mike remarked.
"You bought me a bottle every Mother's Day from the time Katie was a baby." Christine commented.
"I loved the smell." Mike said as they watched their daughters playing with the puppy. He loved how cathartic it felt. Their biggest argument 'might' have been about a puppy that he had brought home with him to make their daughter happy.