Sure, I tell them.

No, the man says. I’ll get it.

He stops me with a heavy hand and leaves the room. We stand awkwardly with the lady. Tomas occupies himself by rubbing Johan, not looking up. I try to catch his eye but he hides his face from me.

When the man returns he sets the glasses on the bar counter so I have to get them and give one to Tomas. The way the lady watches me I get the feeling she does not think I should have to do this.

The man’s arms are crossed, and he stares at Tomas.

Look. I’m paying you eight thousand dollars. I’m overpaying you as it is. Even the mother can’t be worth that much.

My brother tries not to look away. Well, she ain’t for sale.

Then you’d better leave.

Tomas shifts his weight from one foot to another and his hands are in his pockets. The lady glances at me, then touches the celebrity’s arm and says: Wait. I like this dog. The mother.

He looks at her wearily. You really do, honey?

Really.

He scratches the stubble on his chin in a grave and thoughtful manner. You love it?

She nods, turning briefly to me and winking.

He sighs. He turns to Tomas. Okay, son. You heard the woman. She wants this dog. How about I buy both of them from you for the inflated sum of nine thousand dollars each.

Tomas looks like he wants that money real bad. I can’t, he finally says, his voice threatening to break.

That’s eighteen thousand dollars.

I know it.

You are turning down a lot of money for two dogs.

Tomas looks at his feet, then back up again. I can’t.

Well then. How about I pay you eight thousand for the boy dog and twelve thousand for the mother. That’s twenty thousand.

Tomas presses his finger into the railing and he watches as his thumb knuckle goes white.

Please, mister. She’s a pet. Can’t you just buy the boy dog?

My brother has not pleaded with anybody like this in years. Probably not since our father left us, and he had to do a lot of pleading back then. There is almost hurt in his voice and he looks down at Johan. Listen. I promise you I’m not conning you. This one boy dog’s my favorite dog next to Buster. His head’s small, that’s true, but his ears are shaped so you know he’s physically balanced and his temples are placed right up to it, not too high or low, which shows he’s got a good temperament.