The following morning, before daylight breaks, Eddie heaves his carry-on bag over his shoulder and idles at the front door, waiting for Josh.
Fletcher looks up at his owner, his tail unmoving, tucked firmly beneath his body. Eddie crouches down to embrace his dog. “I’ll be gone for a few days, buddy. But you’re in good hands with Josh.”
At the sound of his name, Josh enters the living room from around the corner, through the unlit hall, yawning, and scratching his head.
Eddie pulls himself up and looks to where Josh fills the room’s narrow archway. Sidestepping Fletcher’s massive body, Eddie saunters to Josh’s side. He unhooks the strap of his carry-on from around his shoulder, and lets the bag thud to the floor by his feet.
“I’ll be gone for three days,” Eddie says, glimpsing the deje
