Chapter 6

I was lying in bed with Romeo curled up next to me. Or more like Romeo's body surrounding my body in a protective stance. It made me feel all safe and soft inside as I breathed in his smell. I had washed him with my strawberry shampoo and even though he had put up a bit of a fight, he calmed down when I kept telling him that he could smell like me because I loved the smell of strawberries.

He bought it and let me do as I pleased.

Today was just as lengthy a day as I usually had every other day, "thank you for being such a good boy, Romeo," I breathed out with a smile on my face as I snuggled my body even further into his large and soft body.

I felt him rub his head against my side, almost in a way to tell me that it was his pleasure or he appreciated being with me the entire day. I've had this dog for less than three days and I'm already assuming what his little actions mean.

A small smile was on my face at the feeling of finally having someone...something lying next to me. The comfort that Romeo provided me with was the same comfort that my grandmother did; the warmth, the chills, the calmness, all of what that I felt with her. I felt the same with Romeo, except more intense.

I wrapped my arms around Romeo's neck as I buried myself further into his fur and the tears began to escape my eyes. I bit my lip to silent my cries, like I always do whenever I get emotional at the memories of my grandmother.

I was used to lonely nights, ever since I lost my grandmother. I've spent countless years without anyone, no friends and no family.

Hell, my mother was alive somewhere but she wanted nothing to do with me and that was fine. I wouldn't force any kind of relationship with her. I cared very little for her but sometimes I do wish that I had a mother.

I tried to pull myself away from the thoughts of my mother and to my grandmother instead but that didn't slow down the tears. In fact, more tears began to escape me as I thought of the lovely woman who took care of me.

I remembered the way that I would sleep in her bed, curled up right next to her. I remembered how her bed rested on a pile of bricks and was so far up off the ground I always struggled to climb onto the bed. I remembered how the sheets were so hard to pull and I remembered the thick heavy blankets that smelled a lot like her.

I remembered how she would shake me awake in the middle of the night because I used to kick her. She would scold me and tell me to "keep kicking, keep kicking and Ima knock your teeth out, you keep kicking".

I hated nights like these. I used to cry myself to sleep ever since she died, but as the days, months and years went by, I cried a little less. But it never stopped.

Romeo suddenly let out a whimper as I felt him bury his snout in my neck before he began to lick my cheeks. I laughed, both disgusted and moved at Romeo licking my face, "I'm ok, Romeo," I let out a sad smile as I looked into his yellow eyes and now saddened looking wolf face.

"I just miss her sometimes..." I let out in a strained whisper before I nodded to my words, realizing their truth.

I wiped at my face with the back of my palm and sniffled. Romeo wrapped his body around me and muzzled his face into my neck before he whimpered and let out a sound of pain, "it gets a bit lonely sometimes," I admitted to him as I began to rub him beneath his chin and he purred in happiness, "but I have you now, Romeo. So I won't be lonely anymore, right?"

He nodded his head, sticking his tongue out of his mouth and his eyes sparkled. I laughed, but nodded, "that's why you're my Romeo," I made kissing noises before I placed my forehead on his own.

He let out a bark, seeming to agree with me, "let's go to bed, we have an even longer day tomorrow," I told him before I fell back against his body, using it as my bed because he was more comfortable.

Romeo silently rested his head on my shoulder, his body and mine all wrapped up all together.

I was the most comfortable I had ever been in my entire life. Not even sleeping in my grandmother's bed could compare to this. I just knew that I would have a soundless sleep and I think I deserve that after everything that I've gone through. 

I don't remember the last time that I was this content. Was this why people loved dogs so much? They really are a man's best friend because Romeo has me feeling like I'm not alone in this world. It was starting to feel a lot like it was just me versus the world to be honest. But Romeo was a much needed and appreciated companion. 

I don't regret ever getting this "overgrown husky" which I was pretty sure wasn't a husky but a wolf. But he didn't seem wild, well, except when men tried to approach me. But other than that, he was a peach. 

I can't imagine why anyone would be afraid of him. He may be big and exactly my height with a huge build, but he was only a teddy bear. 

I can't wait to spend more time with my Romeo. 

I can't wait to not be so alone anymore. 

After crying, sleep always comes quick, so pretty soon my eyelids were heavy and I couldn't keep awake even if I tried. I went to sleep, but in the midst of me losing my consciousness, I felt a warm hand wipe away my tears.