They Call Him Superman

Chapter Two: Saving Kal

I was still early, so I found a place to park my car for free as I wasn’t going to be able to spare the money to pay for said parking. Though the only free parking I could find was a good walking distance away from the warehouses. I sighed defeated and parked the car. Taking the keys from the ignition I grabbed the folder and climbed out of the car quickly. I had to triple check to make sure I had locked the doors to my car.

As I turned away from the car, I shook my head not believing how ridiculous I was acting. I also didn’t like I had to park my car in this part of Hollywood. I could only hope I didn’t have to be too long. Things can get a little hectic here at night.

“I need to calm down. It’s just a job interview.”

I looked both ways before walking across the street using my phones GPS to make sure I wouldn’t be lost as I never really got to adventure into this part of Hollywood. I continued down my path as u grew closer to the building, I noticed a charming Akita racing towards me with his leash dragging on the ground behind him.

It was the first time I smiled in a long time. His fur was black and white. His tongue was hanging out on the side, he looked like a goofball. He ran up to me and I scratched his head and picked up his leash in the process.

“Hi buddy,” I cooed at him, his tongue landed on my chin and then my cheek. I giggled continuing to scratch his head. I wrapped his leash firmly around my wrist so he wouldn’t dart off. I looked at his collar and noticed he had a tag.

“Kal, huh? Where is your mom? Or Dad?” I asked him as I was loving him up. I couldn’t help but notice how badly he was shedding.

“I wish I had my tools with me, I’d fix you up.”

He barked wagging his tail, I flipped his collar tag over, but was sad when I didn’t find a phone number or address to return the dog to. I sighed. My landlord already wanted to kill me. I own a cat. And he found out I was conducting business in my apartment. If I took this dog in, I would surely be homeless by tonight. I sighed because my heart would way heavy if I dropped him at the police station without trying to find his owner.

“Alright…you can come with me, but you have to behave…okay? After the interview I can help you find your parents.”

Without another word I stood up and started walking up to the gated warehouses. I waved to get the guards attention, but he was too busy looking at his phone.

“Hello?” I called out, but he still ignored me. Then Kal barked loudly, making the man jump. He looked over at us I quickly waved while I had his attention.

He seemed annoyed and opened the door to his station, “Can I help you?”

I raised my eyebrows and heat rose back up my neck. I could tell Kal sensed my shift in mood nudging my hand. I calmed slightly at his gesture, grateful of his sweetness.

“I’m here for the interview. To work in the warehouse.”

“Right, well no dogs allowed,” he grunted nodding his head at Kal. I glared slightly at the man, agitated, he would look at Kal annoyed.

“He is my… He is my service dog.”

I mentally was face palming; I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth. He raised an eyebrow.

“Do you have his documentation?”

“Not on me, by law all you need to know is he is a service dog.”

He grunted, obviously becoming more annoyed with me by the second. I heard him mutter and mumble a few profanities towards me before walking back into his station and pressing his button to open the gate.

“Must be difficult,” I called out to him.

“What?”

“Being an asshole all day and pushing a button,” I smirked at him as I walked in through the gate. I didn’t expect it to be as busy as it was when I walked through. Kal remained tightly at my side, even though the length I left on the leash left him plenty room to move ahead.

I looked at my folder which had the address taped to the front of it. I walked around and tried to ask several people along the way, but they either ignored me or couldn’t hear me. I sighed and scratched Kal’s head.

“KAL!” I heard from behind me. Kal spun around fast and alert. I heard footsteps pounding my way. Kal’s tail wagged furiously, but he remained at my side still. I looked up and had only the chance to let out a small gasp.

My father would be pissing himself if he were in my shoes right now. There stood before me was none other than Henry Cavill. The very man who played many rolls I drooled after. I however favored Superman. I couldn’t accept the actress who played Lois with him, but I loved him as superman.

I didn’t expect him to be so tall in person it through me off. Almost intimidating, and his eyes. In the sun they held so much more depth than in the movies. They did him no justice. He wasn’t even looking at me and I could still see how handsome he truly was.

“Kal, don’t you ever take off on me like that again,” he scolded the dog further as he was now standing right in front of me and Kal. I nearly collapsed at the sound of his voice; it caused a weakness in my knees. His accent smooth like silk, yet rough like sandpaper. I held the leash out to him. He took in gently from me and lent down to hug his dog who still looked like a goof.

“I would say I found him, but he found me. I guess it worked out that I was coming in,” I giggled, happy to reunite Kal with his dad. Then it Clicked. He named his dog after superman. I giggled again in daze having made that connection. My dad wouldn’t know how to handle this interaction. I was surprised I was handling it so well myself. I didn’t feel my palms sweat nor the heat creeping up my neck. I felt surprising comfortable in his presence…. something that felt familiar.

I shook myself out of thought, “Anyway, I recommend getting him groomed soon, he needs a de-shedding before it gets impacted. It was nice to meet you Kal.”

I patted Kal’s head and he nudged my hand liking my palm, it was clear he was loving all the attention he was receiving.

Henry finally looked up at me and stared at me, “A de-shedding?”

I grinned, “Yeah, helps old hair come out of the coat, it could clog up his pores if not done regularly.”

He raised an eyebrow, “How do you know?”

“I’m a dog groomer,” I looked at my phone hearing the alarm I had set to be on time for the interview, “Oh s**t, sorry, I have to go.”

I turned and headed towards where I had spotted the location of the open interview sign. I quickly made my way towards it.

“Wait-“ I heard him call after me, I turned my head to him when I reached the door and smiled at him. I took in his blue eyes one last time before going into the building.

Inside there were at least seventeen people in front of me. They all turned their head in my direction. I could see why, I was the only woman in here. I approached the woman at the desk who simply pushed a clipboard towards me that took me seconds to fill out.

I wander towards the back of the room and stood as there were only so many seats. I wasn’t standing alone there were at least six others standing with me. The day dragged waiting to have my name called. More men showed up and finally a couple more woman for the job.

They stopped letting people in at twelve though. Some people left with their head held high others with frustration or sad expressions it wasn’t until four that I was called. I walked through the door that was held open for me.

“Hastings?” a woman behind the desk didn’t look up from the computer.

“Yes ma’am,” I shifted when I heard the door closed behind me. It was quiet for a large amount of time before she looked up.

“Well, resume?”

Her hand was held out expectantly, the heat for the third time today returned to the back of my neck, my hands shaking slightly.

“R-right.”

I quickly took out the papers and placed them in her hand. She looked at the papers with a quirked brow with some sudden interest in her eyes. She started from the beginning and leafed through it.

“We aren’t looking for a dog groomer her dear,” her voice seemed unimpressed, as she nearly tossed the resume towards the edge of the desk.

“I understand that, I know what a labor job inquires. I do have experience in the warehouses. Lifting heavy things, driving a forklift…”

She sighed, “We wouldn’t- “

“Please,” my voice nearly cracked, “I am a fast learner, I work hard, and I don’t take sick days even when sick.”

She stared at me a few moments and sighed, “Don’t make me regret this.”

I nearly wept with joy; This was just the beginning of a new chapter.

After filling out the paper for payroll and emergency contacts which I resorted to using my old phone number as to not worry my sister or parents, I finally was out of the building at six. I walked down the way I came it was darker with only the overhead lights lighting the way.

I heard a bark in the distance and smiled knowing it fully well. I looked towards it to see Henry with his headphones in not really paying attention now. Kal shook his head furiously before racing towards me, just like this morning.

His tongue was lopsided as he darted towards me this time I kneeled as he came to me and placed my things down.

“Kal!” Henry exclaimed his eyes darting everywhere. He looked behind him and his expression broke my heart. His eyes searching frantically.

I rubbed Kal down while he licked my face. I giggled, “You have to stop running off on your dad like that buddy.”

I looked closely and notice that he slipped out of his collar this time. I shook my head and grinned clever dog. I stood up patting my side.

“Come on Kal.”

I waved over to Henry who was already watching us from the distance. I walked up to him with Kal at my side. I felt my heart race instead at the amazed look he had in his eyes, my cheeks burning.

“I think this fine akita belongs to you sir,” I teased as I scratched behind Kal’s ear like I had done so earlier.