What Alfie Knew

As the front door closed and the lock clicked, Alfie raced to the back of the couch where he could see the street from the sub-basement apartment window. He watched Ellie climb the five steps to the sidewalk. The young Chihuahua mix kept his eyes fixed on his girl as she slung her backpack over both shoulders and began walking left toward the corner. He observed a few more minutes until he saw her in the crosswalk at the corner. Crossing the street usually meant that she was going to be gone all day. If she stayed on this side of the street, sometimes she came home with groceries and a treat for him. Today, however, a quick return seemed unlikely, so he hopped down and began his morning patrol of the apartment, looking for any treasures that Ellie might have left within his reach. He loved her hair ties and her socks, and would carefully curate his finds and store them in his trove behind the couch.

Ellie was aware that Alfie was a petty thief. It was impossible not to notice the number of small items that disappeared. Like a magpie drawn to shiny trinkets, Alfie was unable to resist small soft things that smelled of Ellie. She had been able to teach him to leave trash, TP rolls and shoes alone. She had trained herself to put most other temptations safely out of his reach. They had conceded that any hair ties she pulled out while chatting with her sister or socks she kicked off rushing from their morning walk to shower for work, were fair game for Alfie. At least, until she came across a stash and reclaimed them. Then Alfie would find a new hiding place and begin rebuilding his nest egg.

Alfie was searching under the bed when he heard someone coming down the entry steps. He rushed back to the living area with hackles raised. They had not been Ellie's footfalls. He let out a yap, followed by a low growl, approaching the door cautiously as the key turned in the lock. Suddenly he relaxed, catching a familiar scent. His tail wagged questioningly at the person entering his home. He had not seen the visitor in some time, but Alfie never forgot anyone who gave good ear rubs. He offered his head and received an affectionate pat.

The visitor had also been watching Ellie as she left her apartment, waiting until she disappeared down the escalator to the subway before approaching the apartment entrance. Luckily she hadn't had any reason to change the locks. The key still worked. Although all indications were that Ellie had gone to work and would be gone all day, there was no need to stay long. After laying an envelope on the coffee table where it would be visible when she entered the room and giving Alfie a much too brief ear rub, the caller left the apartment quickly.

Alfie had been hoping for a much longer visit, perhaps one that even included a tummy rub. The pup watched the door for a few more minutes, before turning his attention to the envelope left on the coffee table. He sniffed and nudged it with his nose. When it fell onto the floor, he gently picked it up and carried it behind the couch. Satisfied that his new prize was safely deposited, he hopped up to the couch and settled into his favorite sunny corner for a snooze.

Ellie was riding on the T train to the office building where she worked as an IT security analyst for a financial corporation. She had a 30-minute commute by subway each way. When the businessman across the aisle exited at a stop, she moved over and claimed the newspaper section he had been reading. She had been hoping for the Business/Financial section, but it was the Entertainment/Lifestyle section. No wonder he had left it behind. She absently started to scan the front page. Her perusal was interrupted when she heard her name called in the crowded car. Ellie looked up. One of her coworkers was making her way to flop herself in the empty seat beside Ellie. As they began to catch up with each other, Ellie habitually folded the paper and slid it into the side pocket of her backpack, forgetting she wasn't even interested in it. When the train reached their stop, the young women exited and continued their light banter as they made their way into the slate and glass building and their respective cubicles.

Some hours later, following a typical day of responding to open ticket assignments and documenting the changes made in the domain, she found herself back on the subway. As she reached for her headphones to listen to some music, she gasped and pulled the forgotten newspaper from her backpack. On the page facing out was a preview of an off-Broadway play that was opening tomorrow. She carefully studied the accompanying picture that had stopped her heart. Derek. By the time she arrived at her stop for home, she had read the article 5 times and memorized the picture. She exited the train car in a daze. She felt shaky and nauseous as she climbed the stairs to her street.

She met Derek at a trendy bookstore cafe 2 summers ago. She loved the place because it was dog friendly. She could sip her Earl Grey tea and read on the patio while Alfie enjoyed the sun and socializing with neighborhood mutts. Derek was there studying for a part in a community theater play. They started with small talk in the afternoons on that patio and were dating a few weeks later. By fall they were spending every weekend together.

Fifteen months into the relationship, Ellie was ready to take the next step in their relationship; whether that be moving in together or making a public commitment, she felt their relationship was solid. When Derek called her to invite her to dinner at their favorite French restaurant, saying he had something important to tell her, she fully expected that they would be looking at apartments together soon.

Alfie watched hopefully as Ellie prepared for that dinner date, with the soundtrack of Nottinghill playing in the background. She slipped on her perfect LBD and tried on different shoes for Alfie. Alfie sulked off to his plush bed where he continued to observe, but from the corner of his eye. When Ellie wore the shiny shoes, he was never included. When Ellie exited the apartment, Alfie sadly watched her hail a cab from the back of the couch.

In the cab, Ellie checked her makeup and hair. She had splurged for a French manicure. She didn't expect Derek to propose that evening. They were solid, but marriage had never been discussed. She expected him to suggest moving in together. Still, she didn't want to have unpolished nails, on the small chance he was moving forward faster than she thought. She felt happy and lighthearted as the maitre d' showed her to the table. Her heart soared when she spied the champagne already chilling at the table.

Four hours later, Alfie was awakened by Ellie's feet on the steps. She was not smiling or light-hearted. Her eyes were black with smeared mascara. She went straight to the bedroom and sobbed off and on for most of the night. Alfie carried each of his toys into her to no avail. When he could not cheer her up, he snuggled into her side and absorbed her pain.

Derek had been offered the part of a lifetime in California. She didn't hear most of the details. What she heard was that while he loved the time they had spent together, he could not let this opportunity pass. He was breaking up with her. His career would require all of his attention and focus. He would not have time for relationships. The champagne was to celebrate his new endeavor. She managed to get through the dinner with her dignity, pretending she was adult enough to say farewell with grace. It wasn't until she was in the cab back to her apartment that she cried.

It had taken weeks for her to get over the heartache and months to feel normal again. Alfie followed her faithfully and placed his head on her lap whenever she sat. He would gaze into her eyes and silently plead for her to be OK again. The little pup was instrumental in her recovery. She couldn't ignore his needs, and in caring for another soul, her soul began to heal. She slowly began to notice life again when they walked through the park. She found a new dog-friendly cafe and they once again spent Sunday mornings in the sun, Ellie sipping tea and Alfie watching the shoes passing by. Alfie was with her through all the stages of grieving the lost love until she finally reached acceptance.

Now, 6 months later, Derek was back. She read the details of the play opening again.

The next night, Ellie found herself at the theater window for single tickets. She purchased a ticket in the back near the aisle so she could slip out if she wanted. She convinced herself she was just satisfying her curiosity. That there were no feelings left after months apart. He had not called or come by to visit her. She had no reason to believe that he harbored any feelings for her. She needed to find out if her heart was over him.

She waited in the lobby until they were closing the heavy auditorium doors, slipping into her seat just as the lights dimmed. She watched the play. It was definitely off-Broadway material and Derek's performance was good. She caught her breath when he made his appearance on stage. As the acts proceeded though, she realized that she didn't feel the devastation and hurt that had followed her in the weeks after Derek dumped her. Feeling stronger, Ellie slipped out of the theater before the final curtain call.

Alfie could hear the difference in Ellie's steps as she returned to him from the play opening. Her confidence was back. He raced to greet his Ellie, relieved that the shadow of sadness and pain that had followed his girl for months was finally gone. Ellie scooped him up and let him lick her face in a frantic happy greeting. She was back. Really back this time.

Monday morning came, and Ellie returned to work. On this day, when the visitor came down the steps, Alfie was waiting. The caller barely acknowledged the pup as another envelope was laid on the coffee table. Alfie waited until the footsteps had receded before he picked up the new envelope and placed it carefully with the first one.

Ellie and Alfie continued their happy lives in the city as spring rolled into summer. The play had fizzled. In June, Ellie saw a post in her social media feed that informed everyone that Derek was back on the West coast and dating his new costar. Ellie searched and found no pain at the news. She was really over him.

In the fall, while walking Alfie in the park, she met Bryce. He was reading on a bench across from where she and Alfie sat watching some kids with kites. Alfie approved immediately. His Ellie was shining. This was a good man. Small talk led to dates and 18 months later, Alfie was nervously pacing the apartment floor as Ellie and Bryce were boxing all of Ellie's belongings. Ellie and Alfie were moving in with Bryce. As Bryce left for an appointment, Ellie paused from packing to comfort her nervous pup. "This is good for both of us, my love. Bryce loves us both." Alfie nuzzled her neck in agreement, despite his anxiety from the current chaos.

Alfie hopped down to go get a drink and Ellie looked around the apartment, determining what to tackle next. She decided to pull out the furniture from the walls and sweep up the dust bunnies before Bryce returned. She didn't want Bryce to think she was negligent at housekeeping. As she pulled the small couch away from the window, she exposed a familiar pile of Alfie treasures. There was the silk scarf she had wanted to wear last week. In the middle of the heap, were 2 cream-colored envelopes with her name scrawled on them. This was not typical. Alfie didn't usually mess with paper items. She picked them up and moved to the table to sit. She felt a sliver of trepidation in opening the first envelope. It was Derek's handwriting.

The first note read, "I don't know if you can forgive me, but I hope you will give me a chance. I have a play opening this weekend. I've enclosed a ticket and I hope to see you tomorrow night. Derek" There was a front-row ticket inside for the very night she had attended his play.

The second card was brief. " I saw you in the back of the audience. The fact that you came to see me, gives me hope. Meet me for coffee Sunday morning at our usual place. If you don’t show, I won’t bother you again. Derek"

Ellie looked around the apartment. The bookshelf was still full of smiling pictures of Bryce, Ellie and Alfie on different adventures. Her life was complete. This relationship was a partnership. Ellie felt like a better person with Bryce. He supported her and she supported him. It was only now, being in such a good place with Bryce, that she realized just how unbalanced her relationship with Derek had been. Her eyes dropped to the envelopes again and then she looked for Alfie. Her patient, loyal, good boy was gazing back knowingly. She rose, dropping the envelopes into the trashcan without a second thought. After giving Alfie his well-deserved belly rub, she began to wrap the happy, framed pictures in bubble wrap.