It’s after seven at night and the interstate is quiet with just a few cars traveling, but there are lots of semis on the road. The next exit offers every kind of fast food available, so I’m hoping there will be a lot of people there. No, not just people. I’m hoping for the scary trucker type of people. I exit the interstate and pull into the well-lit gas station. There are a few other cars getting gas so I hop out and go inside to pay. There is a Dunkin’ Donuts, and like a parched man in a desert, I find myself standing in front of their counter. After getting my coffee, paying for gas, and getting another bottle of water for Beast, I step out into the parking lot. Keeping an eye on the parking lot, I walk quickly to my car.
“That’s a beautiful dog you have there.”
Screaming and stepping back, I almost fall over the hose that is going from the pump into my car. “Sorry I scared you, honey. I just saw your dog and he’s a beauty.”
“Oh, thanks,” I say while holding my chest. Getting a look at the guy, he looks harmless. He’s dressed a lot like Santa Claus, including the suspenders with a red and black plaid shirt tucked into his jeans and black boots. I can’t help the smile that comes to my face. He smiles back.
“Russ,” he says, sticking out his hand.
“November,” I say, shaking it.
“What kind of dog is he?”
“Great Dane, I think. I’m not sure. I only looked up pictures online after I found him. His name is Beast.”
“You found him and named him Beast,” he laughs.
“Well, actually, it’s a long story but I guess he kind of found me.”
“That I believe!” he says with a sad look on his face. “You take care of him and he’ll take care of you, honey. I used to have a dog like that and he traveled everywhere with me. Even took my back a couple times when I got into a jam. They really are man’s best friend.” He looks so lost while talking about his dog that I want to say something but don’t know what. I reach my hand out and squeeze his. He squeezes mine back, and then I drop mine to my side and give him a small smile.
“Welp, gotta hit the road. Have a load to drop off in Nashville. You drive safe.”
“You too,” I say as he walks to the cab of a semi and climbs inside. Then, without thinking, I lift my fist up in the air and pull down. At that, he blows his horn and is on his way. I can’t help the smile that hits my face.
My GPS announces that we have reached our destination as I’m driving up a long, private road. In the distance, I see a large blue house with a white wraparound porch. Sitting in the dark in a rocking chair is my dad. I slow down to take him in. He has his bare feet stretched out in front of him with a cup in his left hand. He’s wearing jeans with a blue V-neck T-shirt. His dark hair barely touches the collar of his shirt and is pushed back from his face. His skin looks tan, like he spends a lot of time out in the sun, but around his eyes is lighter. He probably wears sunglasses when he’s out enjoying the sun.
I pull up as he starts down the stairs. I try to open my door but he’s already there, pulling it open. Getting out of the car, my hands start to shake and all of the stress and worry from the last few days comes to the surface. Now that I’m here, my dad will take care of everything. He is my biggest supporter and the person I can always count on to have my back. He pulls me into a giant hug, shaking me around. When he finally sets me in front of him, he looks down at me and his hands go to my face.
“You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you, baby girl. Even with all the bruises,” he says, holding my face gently in his hands. His face changes and his jaw tightens. “If I ever see the fucking guy who did this to you, he’s going to wish he was never born. I hope they catch that fucking coward,” he says, letting go of my face and hugging me into his chest while kissing the top of my head. “Welcome home, baby girl.”
That was all I needed to hear for my whole body to relax into his. Welcome home. I actually had a home and it felt beautiful. “It feels good to be home,” I say with a smile. Just then, Beast pushes his way between us. Dad bends down to show him some love. He scratches his head, and in return, Beast licks his face.
“Hey, now. None of that,” he says while standing. “So, baby girl, are you ready to see your new place and get a lay of the land or do you want to just see your room and pass out?”
Laughing, I say, “I’ll just see the room and pass out. It was a long drive.”
“I know that you wanted to get here quickly but you should have stayed another night in a hotel.”