Solace Read Free Page A

crowded living room, during which Aaron forced a smile and tried to make eye contact, something that was always a conscious effort for him. But when they got over to the far corner of the room, he didn’t have to force anything. A big smile tugged at his lips.
    Jack lay on a dog bed, out of the way but alert and ready, just as he’d been taught. His long tail thumped slowly on the floor, but other than that he gave no indication of excitability; also something he’d been taught.
    Aaron started to reach out to offer his hand, then remembered where he was and drew it back. Jack wasn’t his dog anymore. He’d never been Aaron’s dog, just his responsibility. And now, he was firmly bonded to Ethan, there to assist him with anything he needed. Richard lectured people frequently on interacting with service dogs and how they shouldn’t be treated as pets. Aaron knew better, and yet he felt a pang of sadness over the relationship he’d lost.
    He knew it was silly. Jack had been a huge triumph for him. He was a good dog, but stubborn and far more energetic than the dogs he normally trained. But because he’d been on the list for euthanasia at the shelter, Aaron had taken a chance on him.
    And now Jack looked like the perfect service dog.
    “So he’s learned to distinguish between return commands?”
    That was the one thing he hadn’t been able to teach Jack completely. It sometimes took him two or three tries before he brought the right item. With a caregiver there for Ethan full-time, it hadn’t been as much of an issue, but he was curious to see if things had improved.
    “Yeah!” Ethan said excitedly. “He’s up to ten different things now. Wanna see?”
    “Sure,” Aaron said with a smile.
    “Jack, go get my blue bag.”
    Aaron watched as Jack very calmly got up from his dog bed, moved at a steady clip through the house, nudged open the door to Ethan’s bedroom with his nose, and then emerged with a small blue bag, bringing it straight to Ethan without getting distracted by the partygoers.
    “Good boy, Jack,” Ethan said, scratching the dog behind the ears.
    “That’s awesome. I’m really glad you were able to teach him that. I bet it makes things a lot easier on you and your mom.”
    “Yeah. She doesn’t have to do as much for me now. Jack does a lot.”
    And with any luck, Jack would help Ethan years from now, too, giving him the freedom to live out his life on his terms. He might be able to get his own place, go to college, and have an independent existence he wouldn’t have had if not for Jack’s support.
    As much as Aaron loved saving dogs, this was what made the whole thing worth it. Seeing the staggering effect a trained service dog could have on a person’s life.
    “You must be the dog trainer,” a woman said from behind him, interrupting his train of thought. “I’m Connie, Ethan’s aunt.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Aaron said, uncertain if he should extend a hand or not.
    “We must have you to thank for Ethan’s transformation. He talks about you all the time.”
    Something felt off about her smile. It seemed just on the edge of being flirtatious.
    “Ethan’s the one who made this happen. I just helped him learn to work with Jack.”
    “So modest!” She exclaimed, touching his arm.
    Apparently he hadn’t imagined that flirtatiousness, since even Ethan seemed to find the conversation awkward.
    “Aaron’s a good teacher.”
    “You know, when I first saw the dog you chose, I was worried for poor Ethan. I mean, he’s a rottweiler, isn’t he? That can’t be good for a child.”
    Aaron drew in a breath. He’d had this talk too many times to count, and it always got to him.
    “Rottweilers aren’t bad dogs.” They just have bad owners . “Jack has a good temperament and he took to training really well. His breed really didn’t make a difference.”
    Ethan reached out and put an arm around his dog. “Jack wouldn’t hurt anyone, Aunt Connie.”
    “Oh of course, sweetheart.