Chapter 4: Chapter 4

River

I arrived at work with a smile. I hurried to the front entrance and walked in after hopping from my car.

I made my way inside and waltzed through the halls. The yipping and barking of the dogs was a familiar comforting sound and I continued my stroll. I smiled when I saw my boss sitting by a kennel and trying her darnedest to get a blue-eyed Australian Shepherd to sit.

Maggie was a plump older woman. Her brunette hair had began to gray and her black framed glasses seemed to always be to far for her hazel eyes, she'd constantly push them back up onto the bridge of her nose when they'd slip. Her lips were pink and thin and she did this adorable little thing when she was concentrating; her tongue would stick out the side of her mouth slightly, but enough for you to notice if you payed attention.

"Do you need help?" I asked and she jumped slightly. The dog wagged it's tail and yipped.

"Oh lord, I didn't realize you were here." Maggie said sounding slightly startled and I held back a giggle. I nodded softly and came to stand beside her as she got to her feet. I smiled down at the dog and waved my hand out for it to sniff. I chuckled and scratched behind the beauty's ears.

"Come on Blu, this is part of your training, all the dog's do it, you've got to sit. New owners will like that you know how to." I said even though the dog most likely had no idea what I was saying, but then again I feel like she could. I feel like that all dogs got what people where saying sometimes, but it only depended on if they were listening and if they'd been talked to a lot; like children. The dog yipped and turned in a circle. I smiled and shook my head.

"Blu sit." I said looking sternly at her and after a few moments her haunches slowly lowered to the ground and she sat.

"Good job Blu!" I praised her and she was instantly back on four paws and bounding around. I couldn't hold back my laugh as I watched her play.

I turned back around to find Maggie staring at me, "What?" I asked softly.

"I don't know how you do it." she chuckled and I shrugged.

"So what brings you in today?" Maggie asked tilting her hair slightly.

"You were here all day Thursday." Maggie said and I smiled bashfully.

My hand brushed through my hair quickly and I tucked some of it behind my ear. I glanced around at the dogs and nodded curtly.

"Yeah, but I may as well just put in some more hours, I don't feel like going home right now." I said and started down the rows of dogs. Maggie knew when not to pry so she remained quiet and left it alone.

"How's he been?" I asked Maggie and she shook her head.

"He's as rowdy as ever. That dog needs intense training, its downright embarrassing, the way he acts. You should've heard him yesterday when I took him out. Carrying on like someone was trying to attack me and at a rock. A rock River. A small little rock that he'd pawed at and when it moved because he touched it, oh my, all hell broke loose and he was barking a howling for a good five minutes. I tried to pull him along, but he was putting all he had into it so I just let it play out." Maggie said with an annoyed look coming to her face. A smile tugged at my lips.

"That's Rocky alright." I chuckled and started closer to his kennel.

"Rocky. Who's my boy?" I called and was instantly answered by deep barks and a whining howl.

"Calm down, I'm coming." I said and picked up my pace to his holding place.

"Hey boy." I said and chuckled as he hopped up against the chain-links. His massive paws pressed against the barrier and his snout jammed forward causing his black, wet nose to poke through a hole. His short black pelt was shiny and his defined muscles were easy to spot. His short cropped ears had been clipped long before we got him and the job had been choppy, obviously done by an amateur, and made him look even more menacing. Drool dripped from his tongue and he yipped and tried to lick me through the gate. His tail wagged furiously and I smiled.

Rocky was special to me. Dogs had come and go, but not him, and it wasn't his fault. We weren't sure exactly how to adopt him out being that his father was an Italian Mastiff and his mother an American Pit Bull. He was a sweetheart, but he just looked so intimidating that no one wanted to take him. There were so many times I had hope that he'd be taken to a good, loving home, but every time those hopes were crushed.

I looked into his brown puppy-dog eyes and sighed. I took a step back and felt bad as he whined. I grabbed a treat and tossed one to him. He got off the gate and went after it.

I watched for some time before backing away from the cage.

I walked inside my home and closed the door with a thud, I was exhausted. My feet trudged to my room and I laid on the bed with a sigh. My face buried into the pillow and I breathed in its familiar scent. I loved my bed so much.

I stayed there for awhile before getting up and going to the kitchen and opening the fridge. I frowned at the fact that it didn't have much to choose from and finally I just made a ham and pepperoni sandwich. I put on shredded cheese before placing another slice of bread on top and digging in.

After I was done I washed my hands and made my way back to my room, I needed to shower then I was going to sleep. I was halfway there when my phone suddenly rang. Frowning, I pulled it out of my pocket and bit back a curse as I saw my mother was phoning me. For a few seconds I stared at the lit up screen and contemplated on just pretending like I didn't notice and just go to bed, but after a few moments I sighed and answered the phone.

"Ma'am?" I said bringing the phone up to my ear and I sighed as her voice came through.

"River, can you do me a favor?" She asked.

No, I'm trying to sleep, I sighed, "Sure Mama what is it?" I asked and shoved a hand into my pocket.

"Please go by the store and get some milk and such dear. I'm pretty sure you're out." My mom said and I groaned inwardly at the phone.

"Sure Mama... are you coming home?" I asked.

"No, we actually may be staying longer." My mom said and I let out a sigh.

"But ma--" I began.

"River, please. We're doing the best we can." Mom said and I rolled my eyes.

"Can I talk to Dad?" I asked and my mother made a noise.

"He's at the beach right now." She said and I frowned.

The beach...?

"Where even are y'all? Why do you always do this--" I started feeling anger rising up inside of me.

"River do not start. We're here for business." She said and I clenched the phone in my hand.

"I hate it here. And y'all leave me with Uncle Dan--" I began wanting to tell her what happened, but she cut me off.

"You're being overdramatic." My mother said and I froze.

"I am not." I said annoyance rushing through me.

"Yes you are. He's family and we help family." Mom said in a superior tone.

"Bullshit." I snapped and my mother was quiet for a while.

"What was that?" She said in an angry tone and I gritted my teeth.

"Bullshit. How about stop lying to me? I check the accounts, you haven't hardly been bringing in money, only taking out. So stop fucking lying. You're never here but have the nerve to call me like you give a damn? Like you're some role model mom? Bullshit." I hissed.

"River-"

"How about not calling me again Mom? Until you can actually start to give a fuck about my life, stay out of it. You and Dad." I spat.

"River, I don't know what's gotten into you, but watch your mouth. You have no idea what you're talking about." Mom said and I scowled.

"Bye, love you." She said.

"I almost died yesterday, just letting you know." I said softly.

"Ugh, River I don't have time for your stories." Mom said and even though I saw it coming, it still hurt.

"Sure." I said then hung up.

I huffed and leaned back against the wall roughly. I just wanted to go to bed.

But now I was angry and hurt and I kinda did need to go to the store anyway.

I grabbed my car keys and headed outside to my car.