He’s your dog. You set the rules.
Ranger: I wasn’t sure if it would set a wrong example. I don’t know. Like, distract him? Or something.
Julian: If having him in your bed makes you feel better, then that’s where he should be. Allow him to do his job and comfort you. You can’t spoil him with things like that, honestly.
Ranger: okay, thanks. Sorry for disturbing you.
Julian: No problem at all. You can text me anytime you have a question. I’m always happy to help.
Wow, he really is chipper. What’s funny is that it’s not even annoying, since I somehow sense it’s his natural disposition. He’s Happy, and I’m Grumpy, and the fact that I’m using a fucking Disney movie as a reference is reason enough to make me even more depressed. Except it’s kinda funny, and I grin at Benny, who stares back with a goofy smile, his tail wagging.
“Maybe he should’ve called you Happy,” I tell him. “Because you certainly look the part.”
Benny’s response is increased wagging, so I interpret that as him thinking I’m funny. I’m not, but he doesn’t need to know that.
Ranger: yes, he can. I make the rules.
Lucky: Let me guess. You just checked that with the dog trainer?
My brother is way too perceptive. Fucking parole officer, always reading even the most subtle signals.
Ranger: fuck you
Lucky: nah, thanks. I’ve got my hands full with my two men already. No need to add brocest
Ranger: oh god, that’s… fuck off
But I do smile as I put my phone away. Benny nudges my hand, and I spend a good two minutes petting him, which is strangely calming. “How about we head to the store now? We could get some more toys for you. Julian said to keep you engaged with different kinds of challenges, so we could see if they have something fun for you?”
I didn’t know dogs could give a “duh” look, but Benny just did as if I asked him the most stupid question ever, and maybe I did. Another car ride must sound like fun to him. I put on his special harness Julian told me to make him wear whenever we’re in public so he’d be recognized as a service dog.
We make it to the store, where it’s blissfully quiet. Good. I don’t like people. I wasn’t a massive fan before I was diagnosed, and now even less. Benny obediently walks right by my side as we cruise the aisles, looking for the pet stuff. I’ve never had reason to locate it, so it takes me a while to find the right aisle.
“Excuse me.”
I whirl around at the stern male voice, my heart rate jumping into overdrive as I immediately break out in a sweat. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“You can’t bring a dog into this store.”
My vision blurs, fog descending, but then Benny licks my hand, and it breaks the pattern. I take a deep breath and rest my hand on his head, holding on to him like an anchor. “He’s a service dog,” I say between gritted teeth.
The store employee crosses his arms, frowning. “You’re not blind.”
No shit, Sherlock. “You don’t have to be blind to have a service dog.”
His frown is anything but friendly. “Look, dude, you don’t look like you have any handicaps, so why the fuck would you need a service dog? Seems to me you got that vest somewhere online just so you could bring your dog in.”
“Paul, do we have a problem here?”
An older man in his seventies joins us. I’ve seen him in town several times, though I have no idea who he is. His eyes are sharp, and his face is stern as he addresses the store employee.
“I was just telling this gentleman his dog needs to leave, Mr. Sherman.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t look like he needs a service animal, so I’m pretty sure he’s faking it.”
Everything in me is screaming to get the fuck out, but at this point, I’m not even sure my legs would support me. With all my willpower, I hold on to Benny, who leans against me, solid as a rock, giving me the support I need. Literally and figuratively.
Mr. Sherman’s jaw tightens, and his eyes are blazing. “Do you know who this is?” he snaps at Paul, jerking his head at me.
Who I am? What is he talking about? Does he have me confused with someone else?
“Uh, no?” Paul shoots me another look, more hesitant now.
“This is Mack Stone, a distinguished veteran of the United States Army Rangers. He’s the recipient of a bronze