A Return to Grace

“I don’t think she's going to forgive us.” Bethany said. She twisted her fingers together, playing with her rings, the way she always did when she was nervous. The words had been rolling around in her head for the past hour, roiling and building to a pitch that she couldn’t hold any longer. They forced themselves from her lips now as she and her husband stepped into the baggage claims area of the bustling local airport. Crowds surged and pushed around them, and a steady buzz of conversation tried to bury her words. She rephrased them and asked this time, louder.“Do you think she’ll be mad at us?" she stared up, trying to catch Ruben's eyes.

Surprise floated across Ruben's face for a second as he processed her question. He made quick eye contact with Bethany and then began studying the suitcases following along the route of the baggage carousel. "What, for coming home?"

"No, of course not. You know… For leaving her with Mom."

Ruben considered, lips slightly pursed, but brightened as two black bags adorned with yellow bandanas around the handles pushed through the mouth of the unloading area and into the claims area. "You worry too much, Beth. She loves your mom. She's always so excited when they're together. And your mom loves her, too. They’ve gone to the park, they’ve played outside in the sprinkler… I’m sure your mom’s given her more snacks in one week than we give her in a month. That’s what she does – spoils the little girls, right? Don’t worry. You’ve checked on her every single day we’ve been gone.” Ruben stepped up to the carousal and snagged the suitcases. “She's fine. And she’s not mad at us."

Bethany answered with a murmured, “I guess.” She stayed silent all the way to the car and watched as Ruben threw the cases into the trunk. The thought of their girl being angry at them, hiding her joy at their return in a cloud of irritation and frustration for their absence, remained. The petite brunette stared out the window of the car as they drove home, paying no attention to the lights of passing cars, the familiar buildings and their approaching neighborhood. Part of her warned that she was being ridiculous, ruining the homecoming before it ever happened. But their little one could be temperamental, and it was already late. She'd asked Mom to stay up until they got home so they could reunite with their girl, but it could go either way. At two-years-old, Grace could be so pouty. Bethany weighed the thoughts of how she'd greet Grace, deciding on one greeting for a happy Grace and a different one if she was sleepy and grumpy.

"We didn't abandon her, Beth. We just went on vacation!" Ruben tried to laugh as they pulled into their street and slowed to the posted speed, but knew Bethany's concern was valid. Grace was spoiled. He was as responsible for it as his wife.

They pulled into the driveway and jumped from the car. Racing inside, they found Grace snoozing on the couch, snoring softly the way she did when she’d been asleep for a while. But at the sound of the door, she raised her muzzle and ‘woofed’. And the minute she saw them, she came alive. The big Great Dane barked and jumped in joy, racing around and around the living room, nosing first one of them and then the other in a repeated, delighted frenzy.

Bethany lowered herself onto the couch and enveloped Grace in her arms as the big dog leapt up beside her, nosed her hair and cheek and delivered a big, sloppy, wet lick. She smiled over the Dane at Ruben, who returned the grin, nodded and joined his little family on the well-worn sofa

All was forgiven.