#shamelessgen1

Sage was gone.

“You just missed him bud- Oh Watcher!” Ethan’s pity for Toby suddenly became horror at the sight of the mud-stained dog. “Toby! You’re not supposed to be in Mom’s garden!” He bent down to check for signs of plants. “Or mud puddles, whatever it was!” He quickly led Toby to the bathroom and into the tub for a bath before anyone was the wiser.

“Well, I’ll see you at the party.” Diana blew him a kiss and turned to walk up the path to her house. He watched her until she closed the door behind her. He then waited a few extra moments before beginning the walk to the bus stop. He didn’t figure he’d sleep much that night. He had a lot of things to think about and get straight in his head, because the only thing he knew for sure was not wanting to lose the girl he care so much for.

Sage took Doodle upstairs and gave her a thorough exam. The old dog’s affliction would definitely require a full clinic’s services, but that would have to wait until morning. For now she could make Doodle comfortable and help level out her temperature.

Getting done what they can outside before those freezing temperatures finally take hold.

“For Watcher’s sake, Toby! No shake!”

Before heading to Diana’s cafe, Ethan unwrapped a project that he had worked on while at this grandparents’ house. He proudly hung it up where everyone would see it. He wanted to make a statement and hoped that this would do it.

“How have you been, old boy?” she asked him as she rubbed his foggy ears. The sensation was chilly and tickled a little. “Are there plenty of soft couches and beds for you to lounge on? Lots of good things to munch?” She knew that she wouldn’t get any answers from him about the other side. He was happy, though, and that was enough.