Hitched

55

Hattie hurried down her little, tree-lined street, turned the corner, and darted into a bakery where she purchased jelly donuts and orange juice. Then she went into the small pharmacy where she’d been a customer forever.

Jay Stone, the handsome young owner, peered down from his pharmacist’s perch. He was working on a Sunday because one of his employees was on vacation. He was also ambitious and prided himself on getting to know his customers and their needs. “Good morning, Hattie,” he called out, surprised that she was in again. She’d refilled her prescriptions the day before.

“Morning,” she said, giving a quick wave with her gnarled hand. Her eyes were darting around as they usually were.

“I don’t see your dogs outside,” Jay said conversationally. He got a kick out of Hattie. She was one of those neighborhood characters who had been around for the whole ten years he’d worked in the store. He actually got a kick out of a lot of people. Being in the business of dispensing meds, he’d seen all kinds. Hattie was the type who came into the store and never stopped talking until she was out the door. It was as if a dam had burst. Clearly she was lonely and grabbed the chance for conversation whenever she could. Even if it was one-sided.

“I left my dogs home.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in here without at least a couple of them sitting outside waiting.”

Hattie shrugged.

“Is Mugsy staying out of trouble?”

“Yes, he is!” Hattie answered with an edge to her voice he had never heard before.

Jay knew that Hattie’s best friend had recently died and left Hattie with her mixed-breed mutt who had a bad temper. Residents in the area were terrified when Hattie took him out for a walk. Hattie had had to restrain him numerous times when he charged at other dogs or people who had the nerve to walk on the same sidewalk he did. In Jay’s opinion, Hattie was the last person on earth who should have inherited such an aggressive animal. She was a little off and didn’t have the strength to handle him.

“You should let me find a nice home for Mugsy,” Jay offered. “A place with a fenced-in backyard where he can run around. Those kind of dogs need exercise.”

“I can’t do that! I promised Edie I’d take good care of him. And I am. Mugsy has the bedroom to himself.”

“Lucky Mugsy.”

“He and the other dogs still don’t get along so good. But they’ll get used to each other.”

Jay raised his eyebrows. “What can I do for you today, Hattie?”

“I need one of them Ace bandages.”

“Right there at the end of the aisle.”

Hattie stared at the display. She pulled one off the rack. “This looks all right,” she muttered.

“What do you need it for?” Jay asked.

“Nothing,” Hattie answered.

She’ll probably wrap it around one of the dogs, Jay thought, watching as she walked over and picked up a pair of crutches that were hanging on the wall. She looked at the price tag and put them back. No matter how hard she tries, the dogs can’t use those, he thought.

A moment later she tossed an ankle support bandage onto the counter.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“Nope.”

He rang it up. “It looks like a nice day. Are you taking your little guys up to Central Park? I know you like to do that on Sundays.”

Hattie handed over her money. “I have to. They get mad at me if I don’t. I promised them.”

Jay counted out the change into her hand. “Have fun today, Hattie. And think about what I said to you-”

But she was out the door before he could finish.

What’s up with her today? he wondered as he went back to his perch. She’s not acting herself at all. He smiled. Not that that’s such a bad thing…