Pawsitively Improvised

Mental Horrors

Chapter 13

She was awoken the next morning by the welcome scent of fresh brewing coffee. The appliance was bubbling away as liquid sputtered into the pot. A lazy smile fell on her lips as she stretched out in the warmth of the sun.

Her little bubble of happiness popped, however, as the events of the night before charged through the fog in her head. She didn’t want to open her eyes. Too afraid of what state she’d find her grandfather in. His spoon clinked against the bowl before he slurped his breakfast and crunched away. He’d found the cereal.

Renaldo whined from beside her. Nudging her arm with a very moist nose. She needed to get up and take him out for a potty. He was normally very good at holding it, but even he had his limits.

Cracking her eyelids, she squinted at the kitchen. She was relieved to find him dressed for the day and not sitting bare butt on a chair. There was only so much sanitizing she would do before moving so she wouldn’t have to deal with it.

“Good morning sunshine. I didn’t think you would ever get up.” Glancing at her phone she rolled her eyes. It was only seven o’clock.

“It’s my day off, grandpa. Why would I get up early?”

“So, what. I’m chopped liver now? I see how it is. I came down to help you and this is the thanks I get.”

“Of course, not grandpa. You know I appreciate the help.” She didn’t want him to feel bad. Even if he had only been teasing her.

“What’s on the agenda today?”

“We’re going to see Crystal and the kids today.”

“Why didn’t you say so? Shake the dust off, girl, and let’s get going.”

“Keep your pants on, old man. I need to take Renaldo out before I can get ready.” Please keep your pants on. She begged silently as the image of last night haunted her thoughts. He waved her off as he took the dish to the sink.

“I’ll take Randy here out. You get ready while we’re gone.” She watched her dog dance around in excitement, unable to contain his energy.

“Are you sure you can handle him?”

“What do you take me for, some frail old fool? We’ll be fine.”

She was still reluctant to let them venture out alone. The last thing he needed was to fall and break something. Not only would the guilt eat at her, but her family would never let her live it down. Before they left, he paused at the door. He eyed her in accusation, making her shift uncomfortably.

“You know if you wanted to take a picture you could have said so. I would have posed and everything.”

“What?” Her response was strained as his comment left her chocking on air. He paid no mind to her distress as he kept going.

“I could have used it for my Tinder profile picture.”

“What?!”

“You’ll have to let me see the one you took. I might still be able to use it.”

“I deleted it already.” The words were a lie and she hoped he wouldn’t see through it. She had fallen asleep before she was able to. An oversight she would rectify once he was out the door.

“That’s a damn shame. Maybe I’ll have to schedule a boudoir shoot with a professional.” The thought was terrifying to say the least. Her mouth hung open as he shrugged, then left with her dog. She was speechless. They needed to do damage control asap.

‘Did you know grandpa has a Tinder account?’