Chapter 2The Price of Buddy

"No!"

I reached for Buddy.

But the kid turned his back, shielding the dog.

He looked at his parents, screaming.

"I want it!"

Hank’s wife, Sarah, was usually the reasonable one. She sighed.

"Tyler, give the dog back to Auntie. Mommy will buy you a puppy tomorrow."

"I don't want a puppy! I want this one!" Tyler shrieked.

Brenda stepped in, clutching her chest.

"You’re making my grandson cry! You’re a grown woman, fighting a child?"

I swallowed my rage.

I held out my hand.

"Give him to me. I won’t ask again."

Tyler was sobbing, hiccupping.

Buddy, poor old Buddy, licked the tears off the boy’s face.

He didn’t know he was a hostage.

Then, the kid snapped.

He didn’t hand Buddy over.

He screamed, "Fine! Take him!"

And he slammed Buddy onto the asphalt.

My heart stopped.

I watched my fifteen-year-old dog hit the ground.

He yelped.

A sound of pure, sharp pain.

He tried to stand, his back legs giving out, whimpering.

I lost it.

I grabbed Tyler by the collar and slapped him across the face.

Hard.

The silence was deafening.

Mark stared at me, mouth open.

Brenda raised her hand to strike me back.

But she froze.

Not because she respected me.

But because of the baby in my belly.

I scooped up Buddy.

He was trembling, twitching in pain.

Everyone rushed to comfort Tyler.

Mark was cooing at him, promising him Lego sets, video games, anything to stop the tears.

No one looked at the dog.

I walked back into the house, tears streaming down my face.

Buddy’s breathing was shallow. He was hurting so bad.

I grabbed my car keys.

I needed to get him to the vet immediately.

Mark stormed in, blocking the doorway.

"You are going to apologize to Tyler. Right now."

I looked at him, clutching my keys.

I felt nothing but cold hate.

"You embarrassed my mom, you hit a child… how are we supposed to have family dinners after this?" he ranted.

"We aren’t," I said calmly.

"I’m taking Buddy to the vet. Then I’m going to my parents'."

"I’ll see you in court."

"I’m filing for divorce. I’m keeping the kid, and he’s taking my last name."

Mark froze.

He looked like I’d spoken a foreign language.

I adjusted my grip on Buddy and moved to the door.

Mark grabbed my purse, ripping it off my shoulder.

"Put the dog down. Go to your room."