She shut off the lights in the kennel area. “We go upstairs and check in on the kittens.”
“I think I can handle kittens,” I said.
“I think kittens are the spawn of the devil,” she said. “I’d rather be in a kennel with four pit bulls any day of the week over kittens.”
We climbed the stairs together. “Aren’t you an animal lover?”
“I am, and they’re very cute when they are playing or sleeping, but when they are attacking me, it’s hell. Their teeth and nails are sharp as razors. I cannot even count how many pairs of scrubs have been ruined by those little monsters.”
“Gee, you’re really selling me on getting a cat,” I joked.
“That’s the only thing these little hellions have going for them,” she said. “They’re cute and cuddly.”
The moment she opened the door, I knew what she meant. “Fuck!” I nearly cried when one of the little vermin sank his claws into my leg. “How do I get it off?”
“Very carefully,” she said.
I reached down and tried to peel the beast from my pants. It snagged my pants, ruining them almost immediately. I managed to get it off and quickly exited the room. “Good luck,” I called through the window.
“Very chivalrous.”
I shrugged with my hands in the air. “Sorry. It’s every man for himself.”
We were both laughing hysterically when she walked out of the room. She slugged my shoulder. “You’re such a jerk!”
“You act like you don’t know me or my opinion of animals,” I replied.
“I blocked it from my memory.”
I tried to kiss her, but she swatted me away. Clearly, she was teasing. “I promise the next time I come here, I will wear my armor and I will save you.”
“Coward.”
“That demon ruined a perfectly good pair of pants,” I said.
“Come on, you big baby,” she said. “I need to grab my purse.”
I walked to her office that was just a little terrifying. I would have expected her office to be neat. It was a disaster. She grabbed her things and shut off the light. “I’ll walk you to your car,” I offered.
“Since I don’t have Miss Kona tonight, I appreciate that,” she said.
After securing the doors and setting the alarm, I walked her out the back. It was almost dark. The lighting wasn’t all that bright. I wished it was brighter for her sake.
“Thank you for your chivalry,” she said.
“Since I failed you so miserably earlier,” I replied.
“Yes.” She giggled. “You’re redeemed.”
“Doing anything tomorrow?” I asked.
“Uh, you’re looking at it,” she said. “My very exciting life. I come to work and then I go home. Wash, rinse, repeat.”
“Then I will call you tomorrow,” I said.
“Goodnight.”
I waved as she drove away. I had to walk around the building to where I was parked. I was almost to my car when I heard footsteps behind me. Numerous pairs of footsteps. I kept it cool. I didn’t want to get in my car and have them carjack me. It was best to face them head on.