Hitched

59

Hattie came bursting back into the small apartment. The dog in the bedroom, who had quieted down, resumed his barking and thumping against the wall. Within seconds all the dogs started barking again. Joyce was terrified.

“Hello,” Hattie said. “Quiet, fellas! Joyce, I got you a lovely donut and some fresh juice.” She set the bag down on the coffee table.

“Thank you. I think I’d like to go home.”

“Not yet!” Hattie cried. “You have to stay for Sunday dinner. I’m making stew. It’s delicious.” She turned to the barking dogs. “I said quiet or we don’t go to Central Park!”

“I’d love to go to Central Park,” Joyce said hopefully.

“You can’t walk around with that foot of yours,” Hattie said dismissively as she pulled the donuts out of the bag and opened up the carton of OJ. “I bought you an Ace bandage but I’ll help you with it later. Now eat! I’ll be back soon. First I have to walk my doggie that’s in the bedroom. He’s what you call antisocial. But he’ll guard you while I’m gone with the others.”

“What?” Joyce asked. She watched in dismay as Hattie scooped up the four little dogs, put them in the bathroom, shut the door, then opened the door to the bedroom.

“Hello, lovey!” Hattie cried. “Time for your walk.” She led a ferocious-looking mutt from the bedroom.

Oh dear God, Joyce thought. At least it’s on a leash.

Hattie and “lovey” went out the door and were back in two minutes.

As Hattie led him past the couch, the dog stared hatefully at Joyce.

“There you go, Mugsy,” Hattie said as she shut him in the bedroom. “You’re so lucky. You have a bedroom all to yourself.” Hattie then rescued the other dogs from the bathroom, put them on their leashes, and took them outside.

Joyce sat up. Thank God! If I move fast, I can crawl out of here. Or maybe if I start screaming someone will hear me.

But a moment later Hattie was back. “Okay, the fellas are waiting for me outside. I’m sorry I’m so busy with the dogs, but when I get back we’ll have a nice dinner and talk. I want to hear all about you.”

“Why don’t we go to my place?” Joyce suggested. “I can make you dinner.”

“I told you I made beef stew! It’s Edie’s recipe. She wants us to have it!” With an annoyed sigh, Hattie scurried back to the bedroom and brought Mugsy back out. “Mugsy here guards my apartment when I’m gone. He’ll take good care of you. We both miss Edie very much.”

“You’re going to leave him out?” Joyce asked, fear gripping her throat.

“I’ll tie him up by the front door.”

“Please let me leave,” Joyce pleaded, her drowsy state a distant memory. Every nerve in her body was on full alert.

“You’re irritating me!” Hattie cried, coming toward her. She leaned over Joyce. “All I want to do is take care of you, and you won’t let me. I don’t like that.”

“I’m sorry,” Joyce said. “I’m nervous around certain dogs. Why don’t you take him with you?”

“He’s not so well-behaved when he goes out. But you couldn’t ask for a better watchdog.”

“Please put him in the bedroom,” Joyce begged.

“What good is he going to do in the bedroom if someone breaks in here? Can you tell me that? Don’t worry. He’s tied up. He won’t hurt you. He’ll protect you!” Hattie tied the dog’s leash to the leg of a heavy chair by the door. A leash that looked like it could almost reach the couch. “Get some rest, you two.”

“Hattie, please!” Joyce begged.

But she was out the door.

The room was silent.

Joyce glanced over at Mugsy, afraid to make eye contact. He didn’t look too thrilled with the plans either. She lay back down, afraid to move a muscle. Maybe if I stay still he’ll forget that I’m here.

She was too afraid to scream for help.