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“You’re right. That’s on the highway,” he agreed.
“Wow, I knew something Fly
Fly
It was my turn to snort. “It’s a figure of speech, Fly
“Oh. Well that’s a dumb figure of speech and it makes no sense,” Fly
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
Soon we were pulling up in front of an older but nicely maintained hotel. It looked as though it were well past its prime but was trying like hell to hold on to its relevance. But it was right on the beach; I could see the ocean line from the parking lot. I liked it instantly. We were lucky to get such a good deal because it was off peak and the tourist season was dwindling down. So I wouldn’t complain about the dated awnings and the garish paint job.
I parked the car and looked over at Fly
“Let’s go check in,” I said enthusiastically. Fly
Fly
“Fly
Fly
It was quaint and clean. The reception area was decorated with your stereotypical seashells and jars of colored sand. A large fishing net covered in starfish and sand dollars hung on the wall.
“Hello, welcome to Sandbridge I
I looked at Fly
“Uh, Hendrick,” I said, smiling to cover for Fly
He was looking around the lobby and he didn’t look happy. He looked upset.
Paula with the blue rinse tapped away at the computer until she found our reservation. “Just two nights right?” she asked.
I nodded, glancing at Fly
I sighed; I couldn’t help it. I had wanted this to be perfect. But it seemed I overestimated Fly
It made me completely rethink my earlier frustration about his refusal to move away with me. Looking at him now, anxious and unhappy, I knew that perhaps I was thinking too much about what was best for me and not thinking nearly enough about what was best for Fly
“Here you are. You’re booked for the King Suite with the extra $50 pet deposit.” She leaned over the counter to look at Murphy, who was being surprisingly well behaved.
“My, he’s a big boy, isn’t he?” Paula asked, her eyes widening as she took in Murphy’s massive girth.
“Yeah, but he’s a gentle giant,” I assured her. I remembered how nervous the other volunteers at the shelter had been when Murphy had arrived. He was huge. And his size alone made people nervous. But that was before it become clear his size was the only intimidating thing about him.
“Can I give him a treat?” the woman asked and I nodded.
She came around the desk, holding out the small bone for Murphy to take.
“Don’t give him that!” Fly
“Fly
“No, he doesn’t eat until six. Then he has his treats an hour after that. Not before he has his di
Great, another meltdown.
“You’re right, Fly
“No treats, Ellie! He has them after his di
“After di
Fly
Paula’s smile was now a little brittle as she handed me the key to our room. “Take the elevator and get off at the fourth floor. Take a left and follow the hallway to the end. Your room is number 410. There’s a continental breakfast served every day at seven, though you can’t take your dog into the dining room.” She had abandoned all pretenses of politeness and now seemed ready for us to get to our room and out of her blue rinsey hair.
I looked over at Fly
“Room 410. End of the hallway on the fourth floor,” he repeated. Paula was looking at Fly
I grabbed the key from her hand a little more aggressively than I meant to. “Stop looking at him. He doesn’t like it,” I hissed under my breath, low enough so Fly
She straightened her spine and puffed her chest indignantly. We weren’t going to be given the favorite guests award, that’s for sure.
She practically shoved the paperwork into my hand and I narrowed my eyes in warning. Without another word, I turned back to Fly
“Come on,” I said softly, taking Murphy’s lead from him. He lifted up our bags and followed me to the elevator. I could feel the tension radiating off him but I hoped once were settled in our room he would be okay. This wasn’t the best start to our mini-vacation.
Once the doors closed and we were moving upwards, it became clear that Fly
Then the doors opened and Fly
The room was huge! A king sized bed dominated a good portion of the room. But there was also a small seating area with a coffee table and television. A desk was pushed against the wall with a floor lamp beside it. There was a coffee maker and a microwave and a small refrigerator tucked into the wardrobe.
But it was the view that held me captive. The entire far wall consisted of sliding glass doors that led out to a small balcony overlooking the rolling ocean. The sun was sitting low in the sky, cutting a path of color along the water.
Murphy trotted inside and jumped up on the bed, making himself right at home. Fly
“It’s clean. That’s good,” he said, clutching his hands together. He was nervous. I was awestruck.
I walked toward the glass doors, feeling the pull of the sand below us. I pressed my hand against the glass.
“It’s beautiful!” I breathed.
Fly