“Liar.”
Jason smiled.
“A little.”
“What are you nervous about?”
He watched highway markers pass.
“What if he's good there?”
Paige understood the question beneath the question.
“What if he doesn't need me anymore?”
She did not dismiss it.
“He can be good there and still know you.”
Jason nodded.
That was the best answer available.
At the Shaws' house, Rusty was asleep when the vehicle entered the driveway.
Howard was in the garage.
Linda saw the car first.
She did not call the dog.
She simply opened the front door.
Jason stepped out.
Rusty appeared behind the storm door.
For an instant, the scene resembled the jail.
A barrier.
Jason on one side.
Rusty on the other.
Then Linda opened it.
No glass.
No locked door.
No deputy.
Rusty stepped outside.
Jason crouched.
The old dog crossed the porch.
His tail started moving.
Then he leaned his full weight into Jason's chest.
Jason closed both arms around him.
This time nobody watched a clock.
Howard quietly carried Rusty's bed and medication toward Paige's vehicle.
Linda stood by the doorway wiping her eyes.
Jason remained on the grass with the dog.
After several minutes, Rusty finally moved away enough to sniff his shoes.
Jason laughed.
“You remember those too, huh?”
The dog had no answer to give.
He stayed close.
Before they left, Jason shook Howard's hand.
Then hugged Linda unexpectedly enough that both of them nearly lost balance.
“Thank you for waiting,” Jason said.