Azaria woke up later than usual on Saturday. She stayed in bed for a while, staring at the ceiling. The email from Thursday night kept replaying in her head.
Rhodes Industries had actually sent her an interview invite for Monday morning. Her stomach tightened again just thinking about it.
She sat up slowly and rubbed her face. "Okay," she muttered to herself. "It's just an interview." But it didn't feel like just anything.
She got out of bed and went through her usual routine. She took a hot shower, got dressed, and made something small to eat. She moved a little slower than normal, her mind was still full of the situation. Every now and then, she would pause and think about what she was going to wear. What they might ask. Whether she was ready.
She shook her head at one point and let out a small breath. "You've done this before," she told herself. But still, this felt different.
After eating, she sat at her dining table with her laptop open. She pulled up her old files, notes, and anything she could use to prepare. She read through some of her past work, reminding herself of what she had done and it helped a little. Yet, it was not enough.
Her leg bounced under the table as she read. After a while, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a second.
"You're overthinking it," she said quietly. Wolf let out a small sound from where he was lying nearby. She opened one eye and looked at him. "You think so too?"
His tail tapped lightly against the floor.
Azaria smiled a little. "Yeah. I need a break." She closed her laptop and stood up. "Come on," she said, grabbing his leash. "Let's go out."
Wolf got up immediately, alert and excited.
"Yeah, yeah," she said, smiling as she clipped the leash on. "I know. I know. You've been waiting."
She picked up the small ball she had bought the day before and slipped it into her pocket, then she grabbed her keys and phone and headed out.
The air outside was warm, but not too hot. It felt nice. It was a good day to be out and about. Azaria walked at a steady pace, Wolf trotting beside her. He kept looking around, curious about everything. They made their way to the park.
It was the same place where she had met Max. Azaria glanced around as they entered, half expecting to see the familiar dog, but he wasn't there this time. She frowned slightly, then shook it off. "Maybe another time," she said under her breath.
Wolf tugged lightly on the leash, eager to move.
"Alright," she said, leading him toward a more open area. She unclipped the leash once they were in a safe spot and pulled the ball out of her pocket. Wolf's attention snapped to it immediately. "You ready?" she asked.
His tail wagged fast.
She threw the ball.
It bounced a few times, then rolled further across the grass and Wolf took off after it without hesitation. Azaria watched him go, a small smile on her face. He was fast for a puppy. He reached the ball quickly and grabbed it, then turned back toward her.
"Good boy," she said, stepping forward. He already knew how to fetch and she didn't have to teach him that. She did need to potty train him properly, though. He had left a small surprise in the living room of her mother's home the first night. She was careful that he didn't do that in her own home.
He ran toward her, but not all the way. Instead, he slowed down a few steps away, holding the ball in his mouth like he wanted her to chase him.
Azaria sighed lightly. "Don't you start."
His tail kept wagging.
She walked toward him anyway, reaching out for the ball. He pulled back slightly, then dropped it at the last second.
"Thank you," she said, picking it up. They repeated it again. And again. And after a few throws, Azaria started to relax a little. Her shoulders dropped, and her thoughts quieted down. For a moment, she wasn't thinking about Monday. All that was on her mind was just the park, the open space and Wolf running back and forth mindlessly.
She threw the ball again, a little further this time and Wolf chased after it. She stepped forward to follow him. She wasn't really looking ahead as her focus was on Wolf, so she didn't see the person coming from the side.
Then they collided.
It happened fast that Azaria stumbled back, losing her balance. The other person did too and they both fell. The impact knocked the air out of her for a second. She blinked, trying to process what just happened. Then she quickly pushed herself up onto her hands.
"Oh–" She turned to see an older woman was on the ground beside her. Azaria's eyes widened. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" She moved quickly, reaching out to help her. "I didn't see you, I'm so sorry."
The woman looked a little surprised too, but she didn't seem hurt. "It's alright," she said, her voice calm. "I wasn't looking where I was going either."
Azaria still looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, dear," the woman said, patting Azaria's hand gently.
Azaria helped her up carefully, holding her arm to steady her. "Really, I'm so sorry," Azaria repeated.
The woman brushed herself off lightly. "It happens."
Azaria stepped back slightly once she was sure the woman was steady.
Wolf ran back over at that moment, the ball still in his mouth. He slowed down near them, looking between Azaria and the woman. He cocked his head toward the woman and started at her for a long moment before he quickly lost interest.
"Sorry," Azaria said again, glancing at him. "We were playing fetch."
The woman looked at the dog and smiled faintly. "He's energetic."
"Yeah," Azaria said. "Still a puppy with so much zest in him."
Wolf dropped the ball near Azaria's feet and wagged his tail. Azaria looked back at the woman. "Are you really okay?" She felt guilty. The woman looked like she was just as old as her mother.
"Yes," the woman said again, giving a small nod.
Azaria let out a breath. "Okay… good."
There was a short pause and Azaria looked at her properly this time. And then she paused and hesitated for a brief moment. Something about the woman felt familiar. She frowned slightly, trying to place her face. She could have sworn it was like she had seen her before, but she couldn't remember where.
Azaria tilted her head just a little, still looking at her. The feeling didn't go away.
The woman brushed a bit of dust off her sleeve, then looked down at Wolf. He was standing close to Azaria now, tail wagging, the ball still near her feet. A small smile touched the woman's face.
"I used to have one just like him years ago," she said.
Azaria looked at her.
The woman's eyes stayed on Wolf. "Same kind of energy. He was always running and always curious about everything. The only disadvantage is he always dug up my yard."
Azaria gave a small laugh just as Wolf let out a small sound, like he liked the attention.
The woman continued, her voice become softer. "He got old and passed on. I couldn't bring myself to get another one. He was too precious to me."
Azaria's expression changed. Her shoulders relaxed a little, and her voice softened too. "I'm sorry."
The woman gave a small nod and smiled at her. "It's alright. It was a long time ago."
Azaria glanced at Wolf, then back at her. "Still… that kind of thing stays with you for a while. It's not easy losing someone you love." She thought of her father.
"It's not," the woman said. "What's his name?"
"Oh! Wolf."
There was a short pause before the woman said, "Interesting." She smiled at Azaria and Azaria couldn't help but smile back. The woman had an infections smile.
Wolf nudged the ball forward with his nose, like he wanted to keep playing. Azaria let out a small breath through her nose, almost a laugh, then bent down to pick it up. "He doesn't let me sit still for too long," she said.
The woman watched her. "That's not a bad thing."
Azaria straightened. "Yeah… I guess not."
Wolf circled once around her legs, then stopped again, looking up.
Azaria looked back at the woman. "I just got him recently."
"Really?" the woman asked.
Azaria nodded. "Yeah. Just about two days ago."
"He's already attached," the woman said.
Azaria smiled a little. "I think so."
Wolf wagged his tail again, like he was agreeing. The woman's eyes stayed on them for a moment as she observed Wolf. Then Azaria shifted slightly, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "I'm Azaria, by the way."
The woman looked up at her again and smiled with her teeth. "I am Lenora," she said.
Azaria repeated it softly. "Lenora. That is a beautiful name."
"As is yours. It's unique. It's nice to meet you," Lenora added.
"You too," Azaria said.
Lenora glanced around the park briefly, then back at Azaria. "I was just taking a walk. It is a very beautiful day today."
Azaria nodded. "Yeah, me too. Plus, Wolf needed the exercise."
Lenora gave a small smile. "I was actually on my way to get some coffee. There's a café nearby," Lenora continued. "It's small and quaint."
Azaria smiled. For a moment, neither of them spoke. It felt strange, but she wasn't uncomfortable. It felt oddly nice.
Lenora shifted her weight slightly. "Well, I should go."
Azaria nodded. "Yeah."
Lenora gave a small wave. "It was nice meeting you, Azaria. And Wolf as well."
"You too," Azaria said.
Lenora turned and started walking away. Azaria watched her for a second. Then she looked down at Wolf. "Come on." He stood up immediately. She tossed the ball again, not as far this time and Wolf ran after it.
Azaria stepped forward slowly, her eyes drifting back in the direction Lenora had gone. She could still see her walking, steadily, enjoying her walk.
Something about her stayed in Azaria's mind and it made her frown slightly. She shook her head a little, like she could shake the thought away.
She picked up the ball again when Wolf brought it back, though her movements were slower now. Her attention wasn't fully on the game anymore. She threw it again and Wolf chased it.
Azaria stood there, her gaze distant for a moment. Then she exhaled quietly. "Where have I seen her before?" she murmured to herself.
Wolf returned again, tail wagging, dropping the ball at her feet. She looked down at him then back in the direction Lenora had disappeared.