Eventually, I stood.
Too fast.
The ground seemed to move beneath me.
I caught the side of my car before my knees gave out.
“Well done, Carol,” I muttered. “Very elegant.”
Benny immediately pressed against my shoe.
I had skipped lunch.
That was probably the problem.
But I didn’t want to get behind the wheel until my head cleared.
Across the street was a little café.
Outside, a chalkboard announced:
DOGS WELCOME.
Perfect.
Or so I thought.
Part 2 — The Rule That Didn’t Exist
The café was warm and cheerful inside.
A golden retriever was sleeping beneath a window table while two people ate sandwiches above him.
That reassured me.
Benny and I stepped farther inside.
A young waitress approached almost immediately.
The moment she saw Benny, her face brightened.
“Oh, look at you!”
I smiled.
“He would be delighted by the compliment if he could see who was giving it.”
