Previously… 

 “Because it’s cold and sprinkles!” Angelica twirled in the middle of the sidewalk.  Tina laughed at her daughter. Angelica stopped suddenly. “Look, mommy. There’s Rufus!” Angelica grabbed her mother’s hand and tugged hard. “Come on. Run mommy. Let’s try to catch up… Rufus! Rufus! Wait!”

“Angelica, wait.” Tina stopped. She scanned over the crowd of people and saw the black dog and a woman in the distance. Goose bumps appeared on Tina’s arms. “They’re too far away and I don’t want to carry you.”

“Aawww, mom. We could have caught up with them.” Angelica whined. Tina kneeled in front of her daughter and began to clean her face and hands.

Bette walked Rufus along the crowded sidewalk. Rufus stopped and barked. She heard someone shout Rufus’ name. Bette looked down at the dog. “What is it?” Bette looked around the crowd and felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. The last time that had happened had been with Tina. Bette scratched Rufus behind the ears.

“Let’s go home and get some ice cream.”

——————–

“Oh, Dana…yeah…just like that…” Alice moaned in her sleep.

Dana rolled over and watched as Rufus licked Alice’s face. She tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn’t hold it in much longer.

“Al…wake up…that’s Rufus that kissing you.” Dana shook Al. “Al, wake up.” She shook Al.

Alice jerked awake.

“Ack…cough…cough…Rufus…you mangy mutt…get away…” Al tried to shove Rufus away from her, but to no avail. The large dog placed his front paws on the bed and leaned forward to try to reach the woman who tried to scurry away.

“I’m kind of insulted that you thought that it was me who was kissing you, Al.” Dana folded her arms across her chest. “Hhmmpph.”

Bette knocked on the door and stood in the doorway after hearing the commotion from her room. Alice eyed Bette from her position on the bed.

 “You know, Bette. I can’t understand why you chose to get this monster of a dog. I, mean, when we were living in L.A. you never gave any indication that you were a dog person.” Alice wiped the dog saliva from her face.

Bette called Rufus over to her and scratched his head.