Case of the Hot Dog

by Erik Schubach

  Jess looked over her shoulder demurely and shrugged, prompting, “If you don't make your move soon, Five-O, someone else just might.” She coyly kissed the back of my hand, her lips lingering, making my cheeks burn. Why did they always use me as a prop in their mutual dares to each other? If I hadn't had a vested interest in my roommate myself, I'd tell them to just go get a room already.

  Mom muttered, “Oh for god's sake. Please don't tease each other over my daughter while I'm in the room, girls.”

  Jane gave Cal some good side thumps when he moved over to her. His limp was already much less pronounced, which was good, it meant he was going to be just fine. Then she moved up to the chair, thumbing the air. “Take a hike, sister.”

  My burning blush intensified when Jess let go of my hand and stood so Jane could sit, purring out,

  “I'm pretty sure you wouldn't do the things you did with me with your sister.”

  Jane chuckled and swatted at her, just grazing her arm as the redhead jumped away in anticipation of the playful strike. “Go flirt with the elder May. I got Finny covered.”

  Jess turned dramatically, offering an elbow and fluttering lashes to mom. “What about it Winnie?

  Coffee while the lovebirds do their googly-eyed thing?”

  To my embarrassment, mom just shrugged as she playfully placed her hand in the crook of Jess'

  arm. “Eh, a little young for me, but I could do worse.”

  Everyone laughed at me as I whined, “Moooom! Eww!”

  Jess cocked her head and stuck her tongue out at me as she covered mom's hand with hers and led her imperiously out of the room, nose held high.

  I complained with a smile to Jane, “Does she have to tease like that?”

  She grinned almost evilly as she said, “With Jessie, it may not be teasing. She has – varied –

  tastes.”

  My eyes widened. “I was talking about my mom, you wretch.”

  Her chuckle told me she knew and was just teasing me. I muttered, “Jerk cop.” Damn it, now I was wondering about the woman's varied tastes. And how many of those Jane was a part of when they were dating.

  I was suddenly aware that I was alone with the woman I had been crushing on for three months and counting. And Then I started worrying that if we did start a relationship, how could I possibly compare to someone who looked like Jessie, with her fun personality and her – varied tastes. I don't even know how to...

  Come on Finnegan, stop obsessing. I felt small and inadequate suddenly.

  I think Jane felt the change of my bearing and she placed a hand on my good cheek, I closed my eyes and leaned in, savoring the heat of her touch. It was amazing how someone so strong and physical could be so gentle. It's like she knew I needed to be reassured that I was not alone.

  I almost sighed at the scent of lilac, leather, and gun oil. God, I had it bad.

  She prompted, “So, you about ready to blow this joint?”

  My eyes snapped wide, and I pulled back from her touch with a huge grin on my face. My heart beating wildly with anticipation. “Seriously?”

  She nodded with a smile.

  By the seven canine lords of Nebula B, I was going home! I wanted to dance a jig.

  She stood, and I watched her shapely ass sway in her tight jeans as she went to the door to retrieve the garment bag. She returned with it and unzipped it a bit to reveal my pastel green sundress. Oh, how I loved this woman. I mean... you know. Appreciated how considerate she was, and all that.

  Just look away please, you don't need to see me blush. Gah, just kill me now.

  She shared, “The docs told me this morning they were going to discharge you tonight.”

  I smiled as I unzipped the bag to see more of the dress. “Thank goodness. I've been missing my clients.”

  She placed a hand on the bag as if to stop me. “Rafiel and the others are doing just fine walking the dogs until your prescribed bed rest is done. I'll tie you to your bed if you try to get up.”

  Tied to bed by Jane?

  I hid a blush and whined, “But there is a certain...”

  She interrupted. “Yes, a certain routine the dogs are used to... blah blah blah. We know, we know.

  The others have it covered. You just need to concentrate on getting better.”

  It was sort of weird to me that Raife had just volunteered his network of walkers to take care of my clients... for no charge, until I got back on my feet. He hasn't come to visit me in the hospital, and Jane says he was instrumental in finding me. Was there still some of the old Rafiel in the man? The one I liked and dated before he got to full of himself and then cheated on me?

  I'm still not quite sure if I had loved the man, or simply loved the idea of love. I'd have to contemplate that at a later time, he confused me so much.

  I snapped back, “I am better! This bedrest is driving me batty!”

  She growled, “God damn it, Finny.”

  I grumped out, “Fine.”

  She reinforced, “Fine.”

  I almost shouted at her treating me like a spoiled kid, “Fine!”

  Then in a little voice, I asked, “Pizza tonight?” I really don't like to order in very often. I enjoyed cooking too much, and I sort of liked taking care of Jane, but sometimes she could make me feel spoiled by ordering delivery, and just hanging out on the couch with me instead of at the table. And as good as I was telling people I felt, I really didn't feel like cooking tonight, especially with half my face bandaged up like a mummy.

  She smiled softly and ran a hand through my hair, making me almost moan at the pampered feeling, but then stiffen when I realized how much of a greasy, stringy mess it was getting to be, being confined to bed. I must look and feel disgusting. “You got it, lady. We'll even use paper plates, so there's no cleanup.”

  I grinned. She mocked me for using our heavy restaurant quality white plates on the rare occasion we had pizza. I muttered playfully, “Just like animals.”

  She rolled her eyes and looked at the ceiling in mock exasperation, voicing, “I don't know why I put up with you.”

  I shrugged and offered, “Because I'd label you into submission if you didn't?”

  With a sly smirk, she capitulated, “There is that.”

  Then we just sat and talked. She still wouldn't fill me in on the case, and she had threatened everyone else not to share until after I left the hospital. But she did break her own self-imposed rule by sharing, “Nadine's family is arriving tomorrow to take her body home to Austria.”

  I lowered my eyes sadly, feeling a pang in my heart. That meant Oscar was going to be leaving us.

  I knew it was going to happen, but it still hurt. I get too attached too quickly. This was her way of trying to prepare me for the reality of it. I just nodded in understanding.

  When I raised my eyes, I caught her staring at my bandaged face. She looked away to the sea of flowers, cards, balloons and stuffed animals with a smile and said, pretending I hadn't just caught the concern on her face. “I don't know if all this stuff will fit in the car. We might need Gar or Jess to bring some.”

  I could see her tight control slipping when she came in early on, with Detective Flannery, and a uniformed officer. It was her case, but she had him questioning me about what had happened. I was afraid her teeth would crack they were clenched so fiercely when I brought up how all the injuries I had had occurred.

  Though she did lighten up, looking almost slightly amused when I shared the worst of it was self-inflicted. I couldn't share much about what happened after I was sedated, it was all fuzzy still, and the flashes I had were pretty strange. What with Brute having four feet with mismatched socks.

  I was much clearer about the Doxy breakout, and everything that happened after we left the Breeders as the drugs they used on me were wearing off.

  It took me a while to figure out why she wouldn't get the statement from me herself. She was walking a fine line, keeping her temper reined in. It wasn't me she was mad at. I remembered how hard she ha
d tackled Brute, sending them both through the storefront window with the force of the impact. I shivered, but at the same time, I felt an odd heat in my core. She cared about what happened to me, and she was prepared to bring the Sword of Damocles down upon those who would hurt me.

  The memory had me asking, “What became of the puppies?” I was worried about all those little ones.

  She looked at me and seemed reluctant to answer. “Animal control.”

  I closed my eyes and tried not to think of them being freed from one jail and put right back in another.

  So I changed the topic as I motioned a hand toward the veritable zoo stacked on every surface. “I was thinking we could give all the stuffed animals to the children's ward.”

  Her smile grew big at that as she nodded.

  Then I hugged the big stuffed black and white border collie to me and added, “Except this one.” I don't know where she found it, but I remember my smile when big bad Detective McLeary came walking into my hospital room, carrying the cute toy under her arm like a football, looking almost embarrassed.

  The other ladies joined us again. Jessie was excited I'd get to go home, and mom just looked worried, with her mom face momming out, all mom-like and such.

  Doc Robin poked her head in the door, with her clipboard, perma-smile pasted on her face. Her name was really Doctor Robin Zephyr, but the late thirty-something woman insisted on everyone calling her Robin. I liked calling her Doc though, so we compromised.

  She looked at my guests, and the scrappy brunette said cheerfully, “Hello everyone... get out.” Her smile got bigger. They marched out like a chain gang going out to break rocks. Doc looked quite amused with the absolute power she wielded in my room, but she used her powers for good... mostly.

  I cocked an eyebrow in anticipation. She cocked an eyebrow right back at me. The woman was a tease. She knew she held my freedom in her hands, right on that clipboard of hers which she wielded like a pardon from the emperor. I asked slowly and expectantly, “Doc Robin?”

  She cocked her head and absently flipped through the papers on her clipboard of doom or salvation.

  Then she asked without looking up, “How many times did the nurses, or your accomplices have to get you back in bed today when you went on an organizing binge?”

  I blushed and defended petulantly, “Only twice.”

  She chuckled and met my eyes. “Nurses say you have good mobility when they walk you to your bathroom. You're out of the window of danger with your concussion.” Then she stressed to make sure she wasn't making light of this. “You do understand that your concussion is quite serious. A fractured skull and orbital socket isn't anything to be playing with.”

  I nodded and immediately stopped when a sharp pain reminded me of the perpetual headache I've had since I arrived here. She seemed pleased with my wince as it just punctuated her admonishment.

  Then she flipped the papers back and sighed as she lowered the clipboard to her side and said, “Good.

  Then how would you like to go home?”

  I said in my best Scarlet O'Hare, “Why yes doctor, ah would be ever so appreciative.” I fluttered my eyelashes to punctuate, then wished I hadn't as the fluttering light caused needles of pain to lance through my head.

  She sighed and teased, “You're one of my most ornery patients, but I did enjoy the news reports about the now infamous East Harlem Canine Stampede. Those little dachshunds are so cute.”

  I took toothy grin version six from my extensive smirk catalog and applied it to my face as I nodded, “They are just, aren't they?”

  She smirked and started toward the door. “Ok, Trouble. A nurse and an orderly will come cut you loose, have you sign all the paperwork, and explain the directions for your recovery at home.” She pointed an accusing finger. “Minimum seventy two hour bedrest.”

  I lowered my head then waved the evil health care professional on her way. As an afterthought, I chirped out to her as she crouched at the door to give Calvin a pat, “Thank you!” She waved once over her shoulder as she left.

  I was going home! I did a sitting jig as I chanted under my breath, “Someone's going home, someone's going...” I paused, my arms in the air when the women filed in, catching me in mid-celebration. They had smirks on their faces as I blushed and hugged my belly. “Calvin, attack.” the traitorous boy just basked in the attention as mom couched to give him some good lovin'.

  Chapter 13 – Home

  I was so happy when we stepped into our apartment. I was home. It was sort of odd how I truly saw this as home. The family home in Liberty was all I had known until I took a chance on New York.

  And what I had seen as home most of my life was just that to me, the family home. It is where you go to visit for the nostalgia and that feeling of love you can't get anywhere else. But then when the visits are over, you find yourself happy to get home.

  Sometimes it was a little depressing when I didn't have roommates to share that feeling with, but it was still my home. Manhattan was in my blood, the big city in my soul, the pulse of it in my veins.

  And I was much happier now, if not exponentially more confused, with Jane sharing the space with me.

  I was mortified when the hospital insisted I be wheeled out in a wheelchair. Jane had to push me down into it, and she laid her forehead on mine and just asked expectantly, “Finnegan?” I felt like a schoolgirl with her first crush as I just silently nodded. She smiled right into the heart of me as I sat.

  Mom chuckled. “You've got to tell me how to do that, Jane, dear.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her.

  But it was worth it. After the comedy of errors getting the cars loaded, we were on our way home.

  I looked at my sundress as Jane drove, feeling like myself again instead of the monster of Ward C in that god awful hospital gown.

  I had said almost under my breath so she wouldn't be mad, “The jerks ruined my only pair of jeans.

  Sorry, Jane.” I knew how much she liked me to wear them. She never said a word, she just reached over and took my hand, then laced our fingers. She held my hand all the way home to the parking garage, and we didn't speak. This again made me feel as though I was her girlfriend, and that was feeling more right to me by the day. We really needed to talk. I remember us kissing – again – at the crime scene, but she hasn't said a word about it.

  I chuckled when we walked the short distance to the apartment to find Jessie was waiting for us.

  She had somehow found a parking spot right across the street. I whispered to Jane as we approached the smug looking redhead, “How does she do that?”

  The detective just deadpanned, “I think it may be her superpower.”

  I exchanged smirks with her, and she shrugged.

  “I'm surprised she hasn't been a frequent victim of road rage.”

  Jess just moved to the door to hold it open for us. “Come on slowpokes.”

  I squeaked and scrambled faster when she mimed swatting my butt to make me move faster to get out of the oppressive heat of the day. The two traitorous girls exchanged amused looks. Grr. Calvin

  thought it to be a great game, tail swishing.

  I muttered to the girls, “I'm glad I amuse you.”

  I slowed at the mailboxes and my anxiety spiked, causing Calvin to whine. I didn't have my keys...

  my bag. Then my panic started to take over. I had keys and keycards for all my client's owners and even dog owners who only used me from time to time on my scrunchy keychain. I was entrusted the keys by those people, and trust is a sacred agreement between two parties. If someone got ahold of my...

  A hand rested on my shoulder as I tried hard not to hyperventilate. Jane said in a calming tone, “It's ok, Finny. We have your things at the station and will release them soon. Your keys and bag were at the breeders. Here.” She unlocked the mailbox, and I just nodded, relief washing over me like a wave on the beach.

  I played it cool and shrugged.

  She chuckled, not buying it.
r />   Was I that transparent?

  I slapped the mail to her gut and said, “Come on Calvin, let's go home where we might be appreciated.” This was met by the women chuckling at me as I climbed the stairs, my head aching as I took the steps. The pain relievers were wearing off, and I was sure I was going to be in for a killer migraine soon.

  We reached the door, and again I realized I had no keys. It was so disconcerting. I turned to come face to breastbone with Jane as she reached past me, unlocking the door. I was whispering as I flushed,

  “Personal space.” Then her short black hair tickled my cheek seductively as she turned the knob and opened the door.

  Calvin flowing in with his limp got me breathing again, or maybe it was when Jane pulled back to make an ushering motion. I could feel the heat from her proximity fade, and I sort of missed it, even if the tall amazon had zero concept of personal space.

  I exhaled in relief. I was home. Then I froze. Mom was already there sitting in the living room, and so were Garrett and Rebecca, who had a sleeping Oscar curled up in her lap. The more surprising people were Pollyanna and Raife sitting on the smaller loveseat glaring at each other.

  Everyone was looking at me. “Ummm... hi?”

  They chuckled, and mom was already chugging her way toward me. “Come on sweetie, let's get you to bed.”

  Oh, come on. “Mooom! I just got home, can't you let me catch my...”

  Jane caught my shoulders and started ushering me toward my room, I was helpless to resist, and I

  complained, “We have guests!” I called back over my shoulder, “Can I get anyone anything to drink?”

  Then I squeaked when she shoved me into my room. I muttered, “I'm at least going to get a bath. I feel icky from the hospital.”

  Jane nodded and said, “A bath, not a shower. You heard the doc, you can't get your bandages wet for a couple more days after your follow-up visit. She says you were lucky you didn't need stitches on your cheek. What were you thinking, Fin? I mean...”

  I turned to her and just whispered in warning, “Unless you're here for a free show, I suggest you back out now.”