Diamond in the Ruff

by Cora Jay

  “Makes sense. But if for some reason this went to court, I don’t think that would hold up, given the evidence we’re preparing. My guess? He’s bluffing. But you should get Bella microchipped anyway,” said Harika.

  “Whew,” said Ellie, releasing her breath. “Thank you so much, Harika. Thank you. I was really worried there…”

  “It could have been a big problem if you didn’t know your options,” said Harika. “This sort of thing happens from time to time.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m sure it does,” said Ellie, thinking about all the other dogs who must have been torn from their owners in situations just like this.

  “In any case, how are you doing?”

  “Me? Oh, um, I’m all right,” said Ellie. “Found a couple more leads for jobs.”

  “That’s good!”

  “They were impressed with the whole package I did for the clinic.”

  “It is an impressive package,” said Harika.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  “Anyway, you’ll be happy to know that I’m ordering a new sign for the front of the clinic with your logo.”

  “Awesome,” said Ellie.

  “I have to go now—have an appointment to prep for—but ask Shalini to book an appointment as soon as possible for the microchip, okay? We’re going to make sure Bella stays with you.”

  “Thanks, Harika. I appreciate it.”

  “Of course. See you soon, Ellie.”

  Ellie was left with much of the anxiety gone. Bella was going to be okay. The greyhound peered at her, then jumped up onto the couch, awkwardly curling up in her lap and draping her long neck on her chest. Her snout snuffled against Ellie’s ear and she sighed in contentment.

  Ellie wrapped her arms around her beloved dog, holding her closely and taking in her sweet, mammal scent. “I’m not letting you go, Bella,” she said.

  Bella grunted and closed her eyes, like she was going to fall asleep. That would be something of a problem—Bella could get heavy when she was sleeping on Ellie, and she had work to do, leads to follow up on, jobs to get. She was almost financially solvent for the time being, and things were looking up, but it was still a precarious position to be in.

  “Come on up, honey, I’ve got work to do,” she said, gently pushing the dog off. She grumbled and slumped onto the couch itself, dozing away.

  “Lazy, lazy, lazy,” said Ellie. “And to think that when I got a greyhound, I thought it’d be hyper.”

  She glanced back at Bella, but the dog was already softly snoring.

  28

  Harika

  Ellie led Bella into the clinic. She wasn’t going to like getting the microchip—or maybe she wouldn’t notice; sometimes she was like that with injections—but it was crucial for her safety.

  Shalini was at the front desk again, typing away with Betsy curled up on her lap. As soon as Betsy sniffed the new dog, though, she leaped off Shalini’s lap and walked right up to Bella, poking her snout right in her personal space.

  Ellie was still a little wary, knowing that Betsy and Bella had apparently not started off on the right foot, but Betsy seemed to be behaving herself. She licked Bella’s face politely and stepped back, her tail wagging, waiting for Bella to respond.

  Bella went down on her front legs. So she was feeling playful, and was willing to forgive Betsy for her previous aggression. But the clinic lobby was not the best place for dogs to play. “Not now, honey,” said Ellie to Bella, who looked up at her with wide eyes.

  Just then, Harika came out from the corridor behind the front desk, and Shalini turned to look at her. “Looks like your next appointment is here,” she said with a knowing smile.

  “Come on back,” said Harika.

  Betsy tried to follow the party into the corridor, but Shalini deftly scooped her up before she could cause trouble.

  “So, the microchipping process is pretty easy. Pretty cheap, too, at just $45, so I think the work you’ve done for me will cover it. I think I still owe you, right?” said Harika, holding the door open for Bella and Ellie.

  “Yup,” said Ellie, thankful that she was still getting the income from Harika’s invoice. She was going to be able to pay her rent after all.

  “I’ve already gone ahead and prepared it.” Harika picked up a syringe while Ellie helped Bella onto the table, facing away from Harika. If she saw the needle, she’d freak out, but if she didn’t see it, she wouldn’t even have any idea that she was going to get poked.

  “Okay. Looks like it’s just a shot,” said Ellie.

  “Exactly. We just have to place it behind the shoulder blade, here…”

  Harika held the needle in place and slipped it under a flap of skin. Within seconds, the procedure was over.

  “Now we just need to make sure your information is registered with the database. Go over this and see if it’s all correct, and I’ll submit it today,” said Harika.

  “Awesome. It all looks good,” said Ellie. “Thanks, by the way. This is a huge load off my shoulders. I can’t imagine losing Bella.”

  Harika shook her head. “Me neither. Especially not when Betsy’s warmed up to her.” She smiled.

  Ellie returned it, then looked down at Bella, who had no idea that anything had even happened. She was so distracted and so pleased to be receiving attention from Ellie that she hadn’t noticed Harika with the needle behind her.

  “Next time Aaron bothers you, just tell him about the microchip, and be sure to give the agency a ring. I can’t imagine he’ll go to court over the dog. Of course, it’s a possibility, but you’re in great shape.”

  “Awesome. Anything else I need to know?”

  Harika grinned. “I can think of a thing or two. You need to know that I’d love to have you over again this weekend, so we can spend some more time together.”

  Ellie laughed, her cheeks flushing. She could feel the heat rising in them. She was increasingly becoming more comfortable hanging out with Harika, even thinking of her sexually, and the memory of their last encounter was getting her tingly already. Whether she was bisexual or not was a question she didn’t want to touch, but she did know something. She wanted to keep seeing Harika.

  “Why don’t you come over to my place this time?” asked Ellie. “Bring Bella. We can have a sleepover, with all of us.”

  “That sounds lovely,” said Harika, reaching out and stroking Ellie’s cheek. She shivered under her lover’s touch and sighed.

  “I can’t wait,” said Ellie.

  “Me neither. But I have more animals to care for,” said Harika, walking toward the door and pushing it open. “So I will see you soon.” She blew a kiss in Ellie’s direction.

  Ellie double checked that the billing was good to go with Shalini, and set out back home. She looked at Bella’s back, unable to see anything. The microchip was a tiny thing, and it was hard to imagine that it was actually there, keeping Bella safe. With those long legs of hers, Ellie was glad that she’d gotten it, anyway, in case she ran away or got lost.

  When she got home, she was so tired from the outing that she wanted to take a nap, so she went back to her computer to get more work done before her energy ran out. She had wrangled a couple more assignments to work on, and if Harika was coming over this weekend, she didn’t want to be too busy. Having a date… partner… girlfriend? Whatever she was, having Harika around meant that Ellie was a lot more productive.

  Though thinking about those hands on her skin, her side, her thighs, her core… It was making it a little difficult to work.

  Ellie smiled. Not the worst problem to have.

  29

  Ellie

  “Yeah, I’d visit Pakistan. Why?” said Ellie casually, sprawled out on the couch.

  “Really? You would? It doesn’t seem like many Americans want to go there… They much prefer to go to India and I don’t blame them. Pakistan doesn’t exactly have a great political reputation over here,” said Harika, plopping down next to Ellie and pulling her into her arms.

  “But
I assume you’re asking because of your family, right? I mean, I definitely want to get to know them,” said Ellie. She grabbed the bowl of popcorn and fished out some of the last pieces. They’d just finished watching a movie on television, though it was still early in the evening.

  “That’s sweet of you,” said Harika, squeezing Ellie close. “Or maybe naïve.”

  “I’m not naïve,” said Ellie. “I’m sure plenty of Americans do visit Pakistan.”

  “We just wouldn’t be able to behave like a couple while we were there. That can be very bad,” said Harika warningly.

  “I’m not very PDA anyway,” said Ellie. “And besides, we can just pretend to be friends. How hard can it be?”

  Harika sighed. “Your perspective is refreshing. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.”

  “And there have got to be more gay kids and stuff, right? Like, they would have heard about it on the Internet and TV…”

  “Yeah, you’re right. But it’s still a traditional country in many ways. It’s best to be careful when you don’t know where you’re going,” said Harika, reaching over into the bowl and plucking out some popcorn.

  “Well, the fact of the matter is that if you want me to meet your family, I’m gonna do it,” said Ellie stubbornly. “And get a trip to a country I’ve never been to before out of the whole thing.”

  Harika smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

  There was a knock on the door. It wasn’t particularly hard, but it was insistent. “Who in the world could be knocking in the evening?” asked Ellie. It was too late for solicitors or mailmen.

  She extricated herself, reluctantly, from Harika’s grasp and walked up to the door, half-thinking that she shouldn’t open it at all. But when she looked through the peephole, she saw it was Aaron. She instantly went on the defensive and opened the door a crack, trying not to reveal that anyone was home with her.

  “Hey,” said Aaron brightly. “I just thought I’d bring a peace offering.” He held up a cellophane-wrapped gift basket, with what appeared to be wine and various cheeses and crackers.

  “Um, thanks?” said Ellie, opening the door wider to accept the basket. “Why a peace offering?”

  “Because I got over myself and realized that Bella is yours after all? I mean, she’s lived with you this whole time. I left so suddenly and you took her and have been caring for her. It wouldn’t be fair to take her back,” explained Aaron, looking down sheepishly.

  What in the world was happening? Was Aaron actually apologizing for his behavior? Was Ellie out of the woods?

  “Um, you want to come in?” she asked, unsure how to navigate the situation. Aaron seemed like he was being nice. And while she still didn’t trust him at all, she didn’t want to just turn him away.

  “Sure,” he said, stepping in when she widened the door. Harika looked up from the couch, and Betsy immediately trotted over, sniffing all around Aaron’s shins.

  Aaron bent down to pet the long-haired dog. “You are so pretty,” he said. “You’re such a gorgeous girl. With that little bow, too? So precious.”

  “She’s eating it right up,” said Harika, shaking her head with a smile.

  Aaron picked up Betsy and the dog tried to lick his face. “You must be Harika,” she said.

  “That’s right. And you must be Aaron.”

  “Yep, Aaron, my previous boyfriend, and Harika, my new, uh, my new girlfriend.”

  Ellie could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. She liked the sound of that word, even if it was foreign on her tongue. Girlfriend. Girl friend. Girlfriend.

  “You’re really going to leave Bella with me?” asked Ellie, still in disbelief.

  “Yeah,” said Aaron, shrugging.

  “I got her microchipped,” Ellie admitted.

  “That’s a good idea,” said Aaron, focusing again on Betsy, who was displeased that the attention had been taken off of her. Aaron started stroking the dog’s long, silky hair and looked around Ellie’s home. “So this is the new place, huh?”

  “That’s right. The new place. I like it. I’ve managed to make it my own, with all the shit I buy,” said Ellie, laughing.

  “And a beautiful woman to top it all off,” said Aaron, smiling wryly at Harika. “Looks like you’ve built something for yourself.”

  “Yeah… Yeah, I guess I have,” said Ellie.

  She was looking at her life from a fresh perspective: that of Aaron’s. And he was right. She had built herself a life with Harika, one that was cozy and actually had a future. It seemed overwhelming to think about now, but she could see herself living with Harika, raising children with Harika.

  It wouldn’t have been like this with anyone else. There was just something infectiously comforting about Harika, with her patience and warmth. She was so respectful, but she also pushed Ellie out of her comfort zone when necessary. She was exactly the kind of person Ellie needed.

  But what did Ellie give in return? Harika was a remarkably generous woman, not only with her love, but also her life—she was a vet, after all. But Ellie’s life had been so quiet and devoid of social interaction that she wasn’t sure she had anything with which to enrich Harika’s life. That was what a relationship was about, wasn’t it? Helping each other?

  But when she turned to Harika and saw the look in those deep brown eyes, she thought she had an inkling. Harika saw something in Ellie that Ellie didn’t. She had to ask her what it was, not because she felt like she needed praise, but because… she could stand to learn what was so lovable about her.

  “Well, I guess I’ll leave now,” said Aaron. “It was nice to meet you, Harika. And you too, Betsy. You know…”

  He paused.

  “Yeah?” asked Ellie.

  He shook his head. “It’s nothing. It’s just… This is such a nice picture. Two girls and two dogs, all snuggly and happy.”

  “Aww. Well, thanks,” said Ellie.

  “It’s so obvious, in retrospect. Maybe you’re bi, maybe you’re gay. But whatever you have here… That’s love.” He smiled.

  “Gosh. Yeah. I guess it is,” said Ellie, startled. She was not expecting gems of wisdom to fall from Aaron’s mouth. He was a perceptive person, but he didn’t share observations very often. When he did, like he was doing now, it was a rare thing.

  “You sure you don’t want to stay and have a drink?” asked Harika, waggling her eyebrows.

  Aaron laughed. But there was something special about that laugh. He sounded like a teenager, carefree, without whatever baggage he’d picked up over the last few years. He sounded genuinely happy. Ellie hadn’t even realized that he wasn’t happy until she heard this unburdened laugh.

  “I think I’ll pass, but thank you,” he said. “Got stuff to do, you know.”

  “Right. It was nice meeting you,” said Harika.

  “Yeah. Thanks for stopping by,” said Ellie, surprised at the turn of events. She didn’t think she’d be seeing Aaron out with such courtesy, after his interest in taking Bella back. It was like he’d turned over a new leaf, or mellowed out, or something.

  “Of course. See you later.” He waved goodbye quickly and turned away, like he had somewhere to be, leaving Ellie standing at the doorway pleasantly surprised.

  “I take it that went better than you expected?” asked Harika, patting the seat next to her on the couch. Betsy immediately trotted over and took it, so she scooped her into her lap.

  Ellie walked back, scratching her head. “Yeah… I was not expected such a turnaround.”

  “Thank goodness, huh? I was worried for a while there. It would not be fun to get into a custody battle over this sleeping beauty,” said Harika, looking down at Bella, who was asleep and covering her feet.

  Ellie sat down next to her and took Betsy, who grumbled at having been disturbed. She then leaned back in Harika’s arms, back to chest, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. This was what she needed right now—stability. After all the craziness that had happened ever since the other dog had attacked Bella
.

  It seemed so long ago, now. Harika had worked her way into Ellie’s life as an integral part. It wasn’t even debatable. She had become Ellie’s girlfriend, and as they’d gotten to know each other and realized how much chemistry they had with each other, Ellie had decided she wanted Harika around to stay.

  And she certainly wasn’t complaining that she got to have great sex on a regular basis. There was a lot to learn about being queer, it seemed. But Ellie had every confidence that she’d figure it out, especially with Harika’s guidance.

  “Whatcha thinking about?” asked Harika, who flipped the TV off and looked down at Ellie.

  “Umm…” said Ellie, a blush rising on her cheeks for what seemed like the sixth time that day. “Nothing, just um…”

  “I think I have an idea,” said Harika, pointedly brushing her hand over Ellie’s crotch. To her surprise, Ellie noticed that she was already tingly down there, even a little wet. But she had barely noticed, as wrapped up her thoughts as she was.

  “Oh. Yeah.”

  “Were you thinking about something sexy?” asked Harika in a low voice, whispering right into Ellie’s ear.

  “Um… I might have been,” admitted Ellie.

  “So tell me.”

  “I guess I was just thinking about how I didn’t know there was so much to learn about lesbian sex,” said Ellie, a sheen of sweat breaking out across her skin. It was embarrassing to talk about, but exciting at the same time. She knew, right then, that they were going to have sex imminently, but the journey was almost as exciting as the destination.

  “Yeah, there’s a lot to know,” said Harika.

  “Y-Yeah,” agreed Ellie.

  “Do you want to get to the bedroom?”

  “Um, I definitely do,” said Ellie.

  “Good.” Harika slowly got up, putting Betsy back down on the floor and slipping her feet out from under Bella’s warm belly. She stretched, reaching down to touch her toes, then pulling her arms over her head. Ellie could see her flat stomach and looked away, now more aware than ever of the insistent throbbing in her clit.