"Please God, help me maintain my integrity, help me to stop bad mouthing everyone, please help me and Lilias get along, please please help me learn to enjoy this dog....of course if its your will dear Lord. Thank you for saving me from that old life, in your loving name, amen."
Knock knock, I got off my hands and knees -praying like a Muslim and went to open the door.
It was Saturday morning around 9 am.
I knew it must have been Beverly from the Jehovah's Witness place down on Cleveland or it was Mr. Harkins wanting help with his computer. Really wasn't in the mood for either.
I opened the door to Lilias standing there and she looked pissed.
She was holding our dog Bella, a doberman pinscher puppy, and imeaditly handed her to me.
"I've had it, I've fucking had it. I hate this fucking dog. I didn't get 20 minutes of sleep last night because of her. You want to give her away, go right ahead."
Bella started trying to lick my face and I put her down.
"Baby, what the fuck, you wanted the goddamn dog, you went and fucking picked her out and now you don't want her."
We heard Mr. Harkins door unlock from across the hall, and I motioned for her to come inside quick.
"No, I don't want to even be around that damn dog, she tore up my favorite shoes and attacked Pants."
Pants was the name of her dog, a brown and black yorkie that's fur looked like it was wearing pants.
Mr. Harkins peaked out of 1 A, and said, "Brad is everything ok?"
"Yeah Mr. H. we are discussing Bella again."
Lilias said, "Not anymore," and started walking up the wide wooden stairs to her apartment.
"Baby please don't do this," I said as she just kept walking.
I walked back in my apartment and Mr. Harkins followed. I noticed for the first time he was carrying an old leash but I didn't ask. We sat on opposite ends of my crusted green couch and watched Bella staring at the fish aquirum.
I asked, "What do you think she is thinking about?"
"Oh Brad, women are just like that, I won't ever understand them."
I laughed, "no Bella, I wonder what she is thinking about looking at those fish."
"She probably thinking about breakfast."
I faked laughed.
"Brad, when I was a boy I had a dog named Spot and it died, and then I got a dog named scrapper and it got hit by a car and then I got a dog named skipper and my mother gave it away."
Bella barked at the goldfish and then ran into the other room.
"I hate that dog," I said.
"When I was married to Johnny's mother we had a dog together and I really believe that's what ruined our marriage."
"Weren't you guy only married for 6 months?"
"Yeah, I put my hands on her."
"You got married, got her preggers, and then got a divorice in 6 month?."
"Yeah, it was different in those days."
Bella ran into living and tired to jump up on couch but missed, fell over backwards and quickly turned right side up.
"She's a good girl, aren't you a good girl," said Mr. Harkins.
Bella started to go behind the tv and fight the wires.
"Bella," I screamed, "come her Bella, treat."
She looked up at me and went back to biting. I got up and picked her up and brought her to the couch.
We heard Lilias stomping around upstairs.
"If I could get rid of her and that dog in the same move I think I would be doing alright." I said.
"Brad, I've lived at 72 North Belevedere for on and off for eighty years.-'
"But you are only 72?"
Brad, I was 72 the last time you ask me that, but it's been quite some time since we have even seen each other."
"Huh?"
Bella growled at old Man Harkins.
