“Are you sure you’ll be okay taking the dogs to the vet this week?” She asked, her hands busy sifting through her belt bag. “They just need to have their annual shots so they’ll need antihistamines.”

“I know, I’ll make sure it all gets sorted out. Plus, they aren’t too bad to handle with some peanut butter.” I returned, trying to provide some reassurance to alleviate her worries. Packing for a trip with friends was stressful enough, but an international one only added on to the stew of worry.

“Alright, as long as it gets done. Thank you for taking care of that.” The calm slowly creeping back into her voice, if only briefly. I gave her a warm smile.

“They’re my dogs too, I only want the best for them.” I remarked, “I just wish you weren’t gone for so long this time.” I said still trying to hold my smile.

“I know, I hope it’s a short 8 days, but I will call you every night and we will be in the same timezone!”

“True, and I’m not doing much after work so I’ll be able to call any day.” I handed her passport over to her after seeing she was frantically checking her pockets.

“You’re the best, Jack. The car is almost here, but help me load my bags?” She asked softly. I nodded, grabbing her large carry on suitcase. I loaded her luggage into the car and gave a long warm hug before she stepped into the backseat of the car. As it pulled away from our street I stood and waved. Her silhouette waving from the back window until the car was out of sight.

Back in the house, I looked out the front window, seeing right where the car was that had picked her up. I knew she enjoyed taking trips with her friends but this was the first time a guy was joining on their trip. Seemed odd, but to think so would be a fallacy after she assured me about them being friends through college.

Thinking and stewing on my thoughts in a much quieter house, I noticed in the fragile bay window of our home that looked out onto our neighbors and peers. I saw a small crack that formed in the windows bottom section.

“I’ll have to fix that later…if I can.”