Free Shimmers of Pearl (The Pearl Trilogy, Part 3) by Arianne Richmonde Page A

have been stalking me through my cell but I am stalking Rex. I miss that dog. I can’t break our bond. On my way back home, I get off the bus at Central Park South and walk into the park, listening to Michael Jackson sing Ben , the best love song ever written about an animal. But instead of ‘Ben,’ I sing along with the word, Rex.
    I know Sally’s schedule – she and Rex will be somewhere near the big bronze Alice in Wonderland statue, chit-chatting with her dog owner friends discussing their ‘children’s’ behavior and comparing notes. Will I be doing the same soon? Only, with a human child, not a four-legged one? I guess I should join prenatal classes and discuss breastfeeding options and which is the best brand of diapers.
    Maybe I’ll be coming to this spot, myself, watching my child climb on Alice. Unlike most sculptures, children are invited to climb, touch and crawl all over Alice and her friends. In fact, through the decades, thousands of hands and feet have literally polished parts of the statue’s bronze surface completely smooth. I observe Alice now, sitting on a giant mushroom reaching toward a pocket watch held by the White Rabbit. Peering over her shoulder is the Cheshire Cat, surrounded by the Dormouse, Alice’s cat Dinah, and the Mad Hatter and yes, I see Rex and Sally not far off, just behind this landmark, Rex sniffing a fellow mate.
    Sally loves to pass by here every day. With her shocking pink pigtails and punk rocker outfits, Sally is an eternal child. Alexandre found her walking dogs with one of the dog walking companies that roam the Upper East Side. The handlers typically walk ten dogs at a time all leashed, making sure their right hand is free for picking up dog poop with wads of newspaper stuffed in their back pocket. Sally makes three times the money, now, being Rex’s personal nanny.
    “Hi Sally,” I shout, rushing over to Rex to hug him.
    “I wish you’d come home, Pearl,” Sally grumbles with a sad pout. “Alexandre is a bit mopey without you there.”
    “Really?” I ask, thrilled to know he may be suffering a little (obviously not enough, though, to stop seeing Laura).
    “Yes, really. He’s always on the phone doing business – doesn’t smile much these days, his temper’s short; he seems to have lost his sense of humor.”
    “Have you seen Laura?”
    “No, who’s she?”
    I try to sound casual but fail miserably. “Do you ever hear him speaking to a woman on the phone – you know, sweet-talk.”
    “The only person he’s been talking to more than usual is his mother. I know it’s her because he has one voice for his mom and one for Sophie. You know his ‘mom voice’ is super-protective – it’s very cute. Not that I understand French but I can hear the tone.”
    “No lovey-dovey talk with other women, then?”
    Sally shuffles her big biker boots along the muddy grass. “No way! He obviously misses his precious Pearl. Sometimes I hear him say so to Rex, discussing how lost they are without you. Not that Rex can talk, but you know, I think he understands. And the other day, Alexandre gave me a whole bunch of photos of you – I was asked to drop them off at the framers. Like I said, he’s either working or moping about you all day long. Rex is sleeping in his bed now.”
    “You’re kidding?”
    “I know! Alexandre snuggles up with Rex everywhere. He’s now allowed on all the couches, even the bed. Since you’ve gone all Alexandre wants to do is be with his dog.”
    “Has Alexandre been traveling lately? To London?”
    “Yes, he went to London last week.”
    “I see.” I am now reminded of my mission. To forget about Alexandre for good and let him go - move on with my life. He has Laura now – he can’t have us both. Be strong, Pearl. “Oh, Sally, I have something for you.” I bring out my Smartphone and hand it to her. “A gift for you. It’s already unblocked.”
    She jumps up and down and her pigtails swing as if in celebration. “Wow!