“YOU, YOU WITH THE DOHGUH”

“You,” the woman called from the open window of the car that was backing into a spot on Piedmont by the Park.

I pulled BBG leash in tight until she was standing next to me, her tongue lolling out but barely visible in the deep blue dark of the late evening. We were standing on the edge of the park, which is completely dark this time of nite, except for the baseball diamonds and the lights from the street. On Piedmont the traffic moved quickly past, their headlights bright in our eyes, illuminating us where we stood.

The door opened and the woman–a big, burly thing with an enormous mop of platinum blond hair crossed the street.

“You,” she said again, and this time I recognized a heavy Russian accent. “I see you every day.”

I smiled my bravest smile. “I’m sorry,” I apologized.

As she approached I could just make out the traces of a smile, although because she was Russian it was difficult to be certain. “No, but I know you. I see you all the time. With your dog,” which she pronounced, “Dohguh.”

“I see in the morning on my way to work. You cross this busy street and your dohguh stays right by your side. I see you every night on my way home from work. And again–your dohguh is right beside you.” I nodded and smiled “Yes I walk her a lot.” I told her.

“Sometimes I see you in the afternoon. I watch for you. I always see you.”

I didn’t know what to say so I just smiled.

She said, scratching her ear. “she is more to you. I can see that. I see that every day for long time,” which she pronounced “lohnguh time,” hitting the T with a gutteral crispness. “this dohguh is more than friend to you.”

I blushed and did the only thing I could, which was nod and say, “I love her very much.” “and she loves you.” She scratched her chin then looked at me and said, ” I have wanted to tell you that for a lohnguh time so tonight I did.”

And before I could say anything else she turned around avoiding cars in the turn lane to 14th and went into the Nook for what I guess is her nitely cocktail