Golden Presumptions
Golden Presumptions by Rahne Kallon
***
Sorry, Jamie, can't do anything tonight. Working again. Will talk later. Love you, babe.
-Ian
It's been like this for almost two weeks, now. My tail is usually always wagging when I get a message from Ian, because I'm always happy and eager to talk to my boyfriend, but lately it's like...every time I try to see him, he's always busy. Always.
That's not even an exaggeration. This is the kind of bullshit you only see in movies, and even then, it's only in comedies.
But I'm not laughing. I miss my Border Collie.
It's not like I expect to see him every day either; I don't, but I at least like to be able to talk to him. That's not too much to ask, right? And he's never complained about it. Actually, he's usually always calling me and smothering me. The very thought gets my tail wagging again, and I can just imagine him in my arms right now.
Call it separation anxiety; the curse of being a dog. I giggle a bit, glad that my natural wit and humour can alleviate my situation a little. I certainly need it right now.
But the worse thing is that he hasn't even told me what he's working on. It's always 'don't worry about it', which is a total cop-out, and he knows it. But that's the response he gives every time, and... I'm kinda sick of it.
I guess I'm a little selfish. I can't help it; I love him and I love being with him.
Kinda reminds me of that fantasy convention I wanted to go to with him, but can't, because neither of us have the money for the insane registration. And my favourite writer is going to be there, too. Fuck.
I glance back at the text he sent me.
Love you, babe.
I'm starting to wonder just how true that is. Yeah, I'm horrible for thinking that, I know, I know, but...it's feeling more and more like he's avoiding me or something. I like to think he'd never do that, because I know my Border Collie. Or at least, I thought did.
Every time he's gotten preoccupied like this in the past, he's still made time for me. He made sure to, and I make sure to do the same for him.
I guess when you get attached -- attached, not tied -- to such a wonderful dog like I have, you start to hate being without them. I could have sworn he felt the same way.
But maybe he doesn't anymore. I hate to think that, but this just isn't normal for my dog.
But is he avoiding me? Or is he really just so busy that he literally has no time for me?
Either way, I'm one lonely Golden Retriever.
I want to call him, but I'm sure he'd just say the same thing again_._ That's another thing I'm curious about; what the fuck's got him so busy, that he can't even see me, let alone fucking talk to me? I want to know, and I'm not gonna settle for this 'don't worry about it' crap anymore.
I'll ask him next time I see him. Whenever that is.
For now, I should...calm myself down. I figure a quick trip to my favourite comic shop in the mall should do me good. Red Circle Comics, the best comic shop in Toronto. Owned by Ian's dad, no less. I always thought that was fucking cool. Seriously, he's got the most wicked dad I've ever seen, and he even spoils me sometimes 'cause I'm Ian's boyfriend. He knows how to win a Golden Retriever's heart.
I find myself giggling and wagging again. Happy thoughts, that's what I need.
One quick bus ride and I'm there in no time, surrounded by hundreds of comics I've seen so many times.
"Hey, Keith." I wave to the older Border Collie behind the counter, who looks almost exactly like my boyfriend.
"Hey there, Jamie," he says, putting down his comic book and waving back. "How's the day going?"
I try to smile. "It's alright. Could be a little better, though. Kinda lonely."
"Lonely?" he asks. "Well you just missed Ian."
I quickly arch a brow. "What? Here?"
"Yeah, he was just here a few minutes ago."
What. The. Fuck.
How does this work, exactly? Ian's so damn busy that he can't see me or talk to me, but yet he has the time to pop over to his dad's comic shop? Is...this a joke?
I bite my lip and try to hide my anger, lest Keith sense something is wrong between me and his son.
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll catch up with him."
"Alright. Hope your day gets better." Keith smiles again, and I wave again as I leave his shop only two minutes after I came in.
I'm angry. Angry, confused, worried, and I want to know what the fuck is going on. Ian doesn't keep things from me and he doesn't act like this. I thought I was his favourite dog.
No more fucking around. I take the nearest bus to his apartment, and knock incessantly on his door, trying to hold myself back from pounding on it.
He finally opens it, and his eyes are wide as I'm sure he wasn't expecting me to come. If nothing else, it's nice to finally see his face after so long.
"Jamie?" he says, flabbergasted.
"Hey," I say, walking right in like I own the place.
"I didn't expect to see you this soon." He closes the door, still surprised.
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't," I say, "But I heard the super-busy Border Collie apparently had enough for a break to pop in at a certain comic shop." My arms are crossed over my chest, now.
He bites his lip and scratches his head. "Yeah..."
"I want to know what's up, Ian. What the hell's been keeping you so busy that you've had absolutely no time for me? I fucking miss you, man!" I almost yell at him. "And don't fucking tell me not to worry about it, this time."
He lowers his head slightly and sighs. "I wasn't gonna tell you that this time..."
"You weren't?"
"No..."
He then grabs an envelope from the kitchen counter and hands it to me. "Here."
"What's this?" I say, raising a brow.
"Open it," he says with the slightest bit of earnest.
I sigh and oblige, tearing open the envelope to see what's inside.
My eyes then immediately go wide, and I'm in shock.
"This is... this is..."
"Sponsorship Registration for Fantacon. One for me, too." He pulls another envelope from his pocket.
"...How did you get this?"
"My dad helped out on staff, and I asked him if he could get us free registration. He made me work my ass off on a couple posters, and I had to have them done in two weeks. I needed to spend every waking moment on them. I just finished them today..." He takes a deep breath. "That's why I went by his shop. To get the registration. I was gonna call you later on tonight and surprise you..."
Suddenly I feel like the biggest idiot in the world. I'm such a dick. I can't believe I suspected this dog of not loving me anymore...I'm just...I don't even know.
He went through all that... for me. For us. I don't even know what to say.
"God...Ian, I...I..." I can't even finish my sentence and I feel a tear rolling down my face at how fucking stupid I was.
Just then, he gingerly wraps his arms around my neck and pulls me close. "It's okay." He smiles, licking my nose. My own arms quickly embrace him by the waist, happy to feel his familiar warmth along my paws again.
But I honestly feel like crying, because I thought such awful things about this wonderful Border Collie in my arms. How could I? I should have known better.
"I'm sorry I couldn't talk or hang out, sweetie." He licks my nose again, and soon his tail is wagging. He's really happy to see me again.
"No...you don't have to apologize. I'm the one who should apologize. Thank you so much. Really... " I finally hug him, and for the first time in what feels like forever, we kiss. A deep kiss, a passionate kiss, and it feels so amazing as his tongue dances sensually with mine; a sensation I've missed terribly.
And now, I'm wagging more than ever, happy to be back with my boyfriend.
"So...now that you're finished with those posters..."
"I'm all yours." He smiles and kisses me again, serenading my muzzle this time.
"And you're staying here, tonight." He grins.
I giggle and lick his nose. "Why don't you show me what I've been missing?"