Chương 13: Chapter 12: "Big Dogs and Clean Clothes"

As I started unbuckling my duty belts near the front Door, Denise headed into the kitchen to heat up some water for me to wash with, utilizing an electric immersion element plugged into a car battery. I set my gear down and walked into the kitchen behind her.

"Where are your mom's dogs at?"

"They're out in the side yard, in the chain-link dog run," Denise said, adjusting the battery clips.

"Whatever changed the world has made them grow a hell of a lot larger. There is absolutely not enough room in this house for six giant Chihuahuas to be running around." I chuckled, leaning against the counter.

"Good. Because I have a little surprise for you out in the van." Denise stopped, looking over her shoulder.

"Van? Since when do you have a van?"

"We requisitioned it from a couple of guys the second we crossed into town," I replied.

"They were up to no good, started making trouble in the neighborhood." I gave her a massive grin, practically singing the last line. Denise rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Haha, very funny, Fresh Prince. Alright, smart guy, what's actually in the van?"

"You'll see," I said, turning on my heel and heading back out through the kitchen door. When I pushed back inside a minute later, Dog strode into the kitchen right ahead of me. The very first thing I heard was a sharp, loud gasp from Denise, followed by a giddy, "OH. MY. GOD." From the living room, Chad's reaction was entirely different. I heard the distinct rustle of him bolting upright from the couch, followed by a panicked, "OH SWEET JESUS."

Frank, who had apparently been sitting with Chad and filling him in on our brutal two-day hike, immediately busted out laughing.

"It's alright, Chad! He's tame, I swear." Dog didn't pay any attention to the men. He trotted straight over to Denise, his thick tail wagging like a furry metronome as he leaned in to try and lick her face the second she bent down to greet him. I slapped my palm flat against my forehead.

"Holy hell. I knew this was going to happen." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"What?" Denise asked, burying her hands in Dog's thick, coarse fur as he practically melted into her touch.

"You know, just yesterday, that guy was a terrifying, feral monster trying to tear my throat out over a goose I was prepping for dinner," I grumbled, crossing my arms.

"Thankfully, the System gave me a taming spell to get him under control. And now look at him. He's acting like a giant lap dog who only has eyes for you." Denise just grinned up at me from the floor.

"Well?"

"Look, he's a working dog, Denise. You are not going to steal this one from me like you did with my first K9 on duty," I said, stepping forward and playfully stomping my boot on the linoleum.

"And he is absolutely never sleeping in our bed. I am putting my foot down right now."

"Your wash water should be warm enough by now," Denise replied smoothly, completely ignoring my display of authority.

"Go clean up. Your clothes are already laid out in the bathroom. This little guy is going to stay right here with me for a bit."

"Little?" I scoffed, gesturing at the massive dingo.

"The guy is the size of a small horse."

"Same difference," Denise shrugged. Knowing when I was thoroughly outmatched, I turned and walked down the hallway to the bathroom. I closed the door and stripped down, my filthy, sweat-stained clothes hitting the floor in a heavy heap. Sure enough, sitting exactly where she said they'd be, a clean pair of socks and underwear were neatly folded on the bathroom counter. Right next to them lay a fresh black t-shirt and my favorite black BDU's.

I looked at the stack and just shook my head, a genuine smile breaking through my exhaustion.

"That woman really knows me," I muttered to myself. I stepped into the shower stall. Since we were conserving water, I ran a quick navy shower, pouring just enough water to get my hair and skin wet, soaping up from head to toe, and then using the remaining warm water to quickly rinse the road grime away. The entire process didn't take more than five minutes. But by the time I dried off, pulled the clean BDUs on, and walked back into the kitchen, the magic had happened.

A plate with two thick sandwiches and a cold can of Coke were waiting for me at the kitchen table. Out in the living room, Frank was already happily working his way through a sandwich of his own. My equipment belts and tactical vest had been neatly placed over the back of the chair next to my plate. I looked over at my wife, my heart swelling.

"You take care of me way too well. What on earth would I do without you?" My eyes drifted down to the floor by the kitchen sink, where Dog was currently lying down, aggressively gnawing on a massive, leftover ham bone.

"... Probably would have a loyal working dog, for one," I muttered under my breath. Denise chuckled to herself, setting a jar back in the cupboard.

"Oh, hush. You love it."

"You know I do, baby," I smiled, pulling out the chair and sitting down. As I took a massive, grateful bite of my sandwich, Denise leaned against the counter, watching Dog.

"You still haven't told me what you named him."

"Dog," I chewed and replied. Denise stared at me for a flat three seconds.

"Oh, Jesus fucking hell. John Wayne? Seriously, Derrick?" I started laughing so hard I almost choked on my ham and cheese.

"Got it in one!" I coughed, wiping my mouth.

"I knew you'd pick something ridiculous like that," she sighed, shaking her head.

"Hey, it's a classic," I defended, taking a sip of the Coke.

"And besides, it's a hell of a lot better than naming a cat after the movie Top Gun." Denise pointed a finger at me.

"Hey. Maverick is an adorable boy."

"Oh, absolutely," I chuckled, leaning back in the chair.

"He's a pretty, pretty princess."