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Cec opened the door to a streak of black and white fur, a furiously wagging tail, and a series of excited yips. Grinning, he dropped down to one knee to scratch behind the mutt's ears. "Hey, there, Sparks. Ready for your walk?" There was another burst of barking as he reached for the leash. "Runnin' a little late today, but I reckon we still have time." Sparks seemed to agree, and pranced by the door until the leash was fastened and they were back out in the late afternoon sunshine.
Cec had had Sparks for a few months now. He'd first seen the dog down on the waterfront while picking up an early fare on New Year’s Day — a small black and white mutt with one ear that stood straight up and one ear that flopped over. It had crouched low to the ground, trembling, and had bolted when Cec tried to get close. The fare was waiting, and he hadn't had time to go after it.
The dog was still there the next day, and the next, but it was the fourth day before it was hungry enough to be lured out with some food and coaxed close enough to slip on a collar and leash. It was thin from days on the run, and its snout was bloody with scratches that looked to be from cat claws. When Cec picked it up to carry it back to the cab, he could feel it shaking in his arms. "There, mate. We'll have you right as rain in no time." Bert grumbled something about muddy paws on his upholstery, but otherwise didn't protest as he drove Cec and his new dog back home.
Now Sparks, as bright and joyful as the fireworks display for which he was named, trotted fearlessly down the street, pulling the leash this way and that as he chased new and exciting smells. Cec was so caught up with watching the dog that he didn't notice the man and son walking down the street ahead until the boy shouted.
"Lucky!"
Sparks went rigid, then took off up the street at a run, ripping the leash out of Cec's unsuspecting hand. Boy and dog ended up on the ground in a heap of limbs and fur, laughter and barks. The man, too, had crouched down and was ruffling the dog's ears. "It is Lucky! We thought you were gone forever, boy."
“You brought him back to us!” the boy said, looking up at Cec with shining eyes.
Cec forced a smile. “Yeah. Yeah, ‘course I did.” He waved off the pound note the man tried to hand him. “He’s a good dog. Happy to help.”
As they all walked away, Cec felt he should be happy for the boy and his dog, reunited after each thinking the other lost forever. And he was, he really was. He just had to keep reminding himself of that as he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked home alone.