Steve and Nina

Steve felt the warmth of the sand against his feet as he sauntered his way down the beach. It had been a hot day, and the baking sun had left him panting until it had finally gone away and let the cool light of the full moon reclaim the sky.

Steve had always liked the night more than the day. People were out and about in the day, making all kinds of noises he didn’t appreciate. He loved hearing the sounds nature made when most people disappeared behind locked doors. Bats flapping, little bugs chirruping, mice squeaking in bushes. He’d even heard the gentle hoot of that mysterious bird again yesterday! That had excited him enough to drag Nina back down to the beach tonight to see if he could locate said bird. He also needed to check on his rocks.

He came to a stop and sniffed, his head high in the air. No sign of the strange bird. He glanced at Nina trailing behind him, his partner in crime for over a decade. Steve adored Nina. She had been stressed these last few days. He could sense her worry and had heard the disturbed rhythm of her breathing as they lay in bed, silent and supposedly asleep. But it was part of the job. He was her protector, and tried to make sure she always had what she needed. He brought her fresh socks from the laundry basket every morning, he relocated her slippers to the bedroom, right by the bed, whenever she forgot them downstairs, he made sure she remembered to take her pills at night because he knew if she didn’t, she would be less sure on her feet the next day. He loved their life together.

***

“Steve! Breakfast!”

Steve opened his bleary eyes, still warm in the bedsheets. He let out an embarrassing whine. Mornings were difficult for him, and getting harder every day. He could hear Nina in the kitchen downstairs. They always ate breakfast there together and he never liked to miss it. From the cheerful humming and clattering, he knew she was feeling good today. He found his way out of the sheets, down the stairs, and into the cozy kitchen area. He nudged Nina’s elbow in a silent greeting and got to work on the wet mush of his breakfast. His teeth craved the excitement of more texture but Nina was adamant this was healthier for him.

“I have to go get some things for tonight’s job. You ready for it?”

Steve eyed her meaningfully and huffed between bites of his mush.

Nina eyed him right back. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ll be more careful this time. And anyway, I’ll have you.”

Steve continued looking at her until she blinked. He loved to win this game they played.

Nina laughed. “Okay, tough guy. You want to go down to the beach when I get back? Those rocks aren’t going to drag themselves around you know.”

Finishing his breakfast, he jumped up and gave Nina an enthusiastic kiss. Steve loved the beach, and he loved his rocks.

***

This stone was a heavy one but Steve doggedly dragged it across the sand, adding it to the array of other stones placed on the backshore. Nina was watching him with an amused look. He knew she didn’t get what was so special about his rock display—they all probably looked the same to her and weren’t arranged in any particular order. But for him, each one had a different texture and smell, and over the last few weeks he’d painstakingly collected and placed each stone according to how interesting he’d found it. Crabs and smooth was not interesting. Mouse poop and holey was. Plus, it had given him an excuse to spend more time on the beach trying to find that damn hooting bird.

His ears pricked at Nina’s phone ringtone.

“Oh hi, Ahsan.” — “Yes, we’re still on for tonight.”

Nina giggled in that over-the-top way he knew was fake.

“Yes, I’ll wear that skirt you like.”

When she hung up, she looked at him and smiled mischievously. “Buddy, we are so on!”

***

Nina and Steve drove up to a huge house later that evening. The area was unfamiliar to him but from Nina’s confidence while parking, he could tell she had been here before. They walked to the front door and Nina rang the doorbell. She’d told him to be on his best behavior in her most serious voice and he intended to comply.

A man baring all his teeth in a smile opened the door. Steve sneezed at the scent of his cologne. Nina flashed her best smile at the man and they entered his home. She got down to business.

“This place is so beautiful Ahsan.” She giggled. “Maybe you could show me the rest of it this time?”

The man gave Nina another wide smile and then nodded to Steve with a frown.

“Sure baby doll, but does he really need to follow us everywhere?”

“Oh, don’t worry about him. He won’t get in the way.”

The man led them up some stairs and into a few rooms. They paused outside one of them.

“This was your mom’s study right?”

“Yeah, all her stuff is still in there. Can’t bring myself to move anything, you know?”

Nina ignored him.

“Fass!”

At Nina’s command, Steve leapt at the man, bowled him onto the floor, and sunk his teeth into skin. The man howled in pain. Steve howled with joy. Now that was some good texture! Nina hit the man unconscious and patted Steve on the head.

“Good boy! That was easy. Now, let’s loot this bitch.”

***

Nina took Steve to the beach to celebrate. Tonight was his night, too. He’d scented the hooting bird. A swoop of wings. A snap of teeth. A triumphant bark. Nina had got her spoils, and now Steve had his.