Loss and Longing

“I manage a gift shop” Stevie said pointing down the road ahead of her.”

“Ah, you’re open late on Friday’s aren’t you?”

“Yes” Stevie said “I hate working at night. It makes the day so long.”

 “And my dog didn’t make it any shorter, did he?”

“Your dog?” she said horrified “sorry you shouldn’t have stopped for me. You go, I’ll be fine.”

Stevie realised now why she couldn’t see any car, he was on foot.

Grant smiled “don’t worry about Scout, he’s probably home already.”

“But what if he’s hurt?” Stevie asked, looking as anxious as she felt.

“You didn’t hit him” Grant said still smiling “don’t worry. He took off in the direction of my place. I was only out looking for him because he likes to dig in the rain and he comes home filthy. I didn’t want to be bathing him at midnight. And if anyone should be apologising it’s me. He was the one that caused you to run off the road.”

Stevie shrugged and not wanting to make a big deal of it she said “no harm done.”

“Well not much anyway” Grant teased with a smile.

Looking into his eyes, Stevie couldn’t help but return his smile despite the fact that the damage really was no joke to her. “Yes” she said “not much and at least the car is still driveable” and her eyes widening as a thought struck her she added “at least I hope it is.”

“I’d say it is” Grant said “give it a try.”

Stevie held her breath as she reached for the key in the ignition. It started first try and smiling, she turned her head back to look at Grant.

He grinned. “See.”

After a pause she felt obliged to ask “can I give you a lift home?” but her eyes slipping away before he could answer betrayed her reluctance. Not that she really thought he was a threat, at least not to her safety, but belatedly her mother’s warning had come home to roost and she knew she’d read the riot act at her if she found out she’d done anything so perilous.

Tapping the door frame he stood and said “no I’m fine. You’re already late thanks to me.”

She nodded and looking at him she said, “thanks for checking I was okay.”

“No problem” he said and holding up a hand he said with a smile “see you round Stevie.”

She raised a hand, “bye Grant” and she pulled back onto the road. Executing a three point turn on the narrow road, she drove back past Grant, who hadn’t moved and proceeded home.