someone willing to train him for free.”
Calvin’s eyes narrowed. “How much is this going to cost?”
“Not a dime.”
Calvin crossed his arms in front of his chest and frowned. “Sounds like a scam to me. Nothing in life is free.”
“Well, the dog is a rescue, not from a breeder. He just happens to have the perfect temperament to be an emotional support dog. And the trainer is being paid by an organization that helps veterans.”
If only such an organization existed, I thought. I was going to pay for Danielle’s services myself, but had I told Calvin, he wouldn’t go through with it.
The old man seemed hesitant, but I quickly continued. “We can go by and meet the dog whenever you’d like, just to make sure you’re a good match. But I think you’re really going to like him.”
“He’s not a yappy, little dog, is he?”
“Oh no,” I chuckled, picturing Oscar in my head. “He’s actually a Great Dane.”
The old man’s face shifted, the hardness and tightness disappearing. He actually smiled. “You know, I’ve always wanted a Great Dane. Such majestic creatures.”
“That they are. He’s beautiful too. He’s a silvery grey, I believe they call the coloring blue?”
“Oh yes, he sounds like a handsome boy.”
And just like that, Calvin was willing to go along with the plan. My smile widened as I pictured Oscar by his side. I trusted Danielle knew what she was doing, and he sounded like the perfect dog for Calvin. Even though I knew that Danielle would be sad to see him leave her home.
Thinking about her washed the smile from my face.
“What?” Calvin asked, noticing my change in expression.
“Nothing,” I said, walking out of the kitchen and toward the living room.
“No, is there something you’re not telling me?” he asked as he slowly followed me.
“No, nothing to do with the dog, I promise,” I said, falling into the leather chair across from the couch that I usually sat in while visiting.
Calvin took the couch, as always. Thankfully, when I’d furnished the place, I’d bought an oversized couch - he would need it when Oscar sat with him.
“Then what’s on your mind, son?” he asked.
He only ever called me son when his paternal instincts kicked in. Which was strange. Most of the time, I was doing what I could to take care of him, but deep down, I could tell Calvin was talking to me like I was his actual son. I knew the old man never had kids, nor was he ever married. All this time together, and I never inquired as to why that was. It hadn’t felt like any of my business, and since he didn’t bring it up, neither did I.
But with everything going on with Danielle, I could use some fatherly advice. My dad was no longer around, and I wasn’t about to go to my brothers. They knew what had happened when I was at war, but they didn’t know all the details - or what it had done to me.
“Were you ever afraid to love someone, Calvin?” I asked.
Calvin looked taken aback. He leaned back into the couch and let out a deep breath. He seemed to think for a long time before answering. “There was a time, yes, but not for the reasons you’re probably thinking.”
“What do you mean?”
Calvin studied my face for a moment before answering. “Hell, you’re a modern man, right? I can trust you with this.”
“Trust me with what?” I asked.
“Well, Mason, let me tell you a little secret - at one time, my type of love was considered illegal, and even today, there are people who would see us hurt or even dead for loving who we do.”
“You’re gay?” I asked, curious.
“I am, yes,” he said. “Does that surprise you?”
I thought about it. “Not really, I guess. It would explain why you’ve never been married.”
“That would by why, yes. In my time, you couldn’t talk about that stuff openly and all that.”
“Yeah, I bet…I’m sorry to hear that.” Suddenly, my own problems seemed so far away.
“But still, I can’t say I was ever afraid to love for love’s sake. Meaning I wasn’t worried about being hurt by love. Life is full of ups and downs, and yes, sometimes you’ll get hurt, but I always knew I was strong enough to pick myself back up and move on.”
“So were you ever in love?”
A smile flickered across the old man’s face, and his eyes seemed distant for a second, as if he was no longer in the living,