I bent and picked him up.
“He’s 14,” I said. “That isn’t a character defect.”
The couple with the golden retriever looked over.
Christopher crossed his arms.
“Spend $30 or take him somewhere else.”
“That isn’t a character defect.”
I held Benny tighter.
I wasn’t ashamed of my dog.
But suddenly, I felt ashamed of my four-dollar coffee.
That made me angry.
“I came in because your sign said dogs were welcome.”
“They are.”
I felt ashamed of my four-dollar coffee.
“Apparently only the pretty ones owned by fancy people ordering lunch.”
Christopher’s face hardened.
“I’m not debating this, lady.”
“Neither am I.”
I turned toward the door.
Two steps later, the room tilted again.
“I’m not debating this, lady.”
My knees weakened.
Someone caught my elbow.
“Easy. Are you all right, ma’am?”
An older man in a dark coat steadied me.
