They neared a picnic table at the back of the property, a popular spot for employees and volunteers to take breaks. She sat on top of the table with her feet on the bench, and looked around to see if Stacey was anywhere in sight. Satisfied that she wasn’t, Jill patted the space next to her. “Come on up.” Rufus joined her, tongue out and panting slightly.

She scratched the top of his head and he leaned into her touch. “You’re just a lovable little guy, aren’t ya? I think you’ll find a home in no time. Just like Haley. I’m glad she was adopted. I mean, selfishly, it would have been nice to see her today, but she’s better off in her forever home.”

Jill stared off into the wooded area behind the yard and pampered Rufus with head and body scratches. “You know, I was upset about a girl when I met Haley. Kinda like now,” she whispered. Rufus lifted his head and rubbed his wet nose along her neck. “Don’t worry, it’s the same girl. Her name’s Reagan.”

Just saying her name brought a lump to Jill’s throat and she struggled to swallow against it. “I screwed up, Rufus, and she’s gone now. I picked a job over her on such an important night. And I don’t even love the job. Not that that even matters. I should never have picked the job over her. Nothing is more important than her.” Tears stung her eyes and she willed them away but it was no use. As they fell freely, she tried to keep telling her story. “I was a big idiot and lost the first woman who wanted to figure me out. I told her I missed her and haven’t heard a word. She’s done with me and it’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt.”

Rufus put his head into Jill’s chest and nudged it against her chin. He sat still as she wrapped her arms around his neck and cried. She cried for Reagan. She cried for him and all the other animals that needed a home. And she cried for herself, for knowing that she was responsible for pushing Reagan away. For ruining the one constant in her life that had made her feel whole.

The cold seeping into her bones brought her out of her moment. It wasn’t fair to Rufus to keep him out here for so long. She slid off the table and Rufus jumped down after her. On their walk back, he settled down as if sensing calm was what she needed.