Chapter 13

“Rex, you mind what Daddy Rory tells you, okay?”

The dog let out a single bark and swished his tail, Rory again marveling at how well the canine seemed to understand Barry’s words.

“And Rory? Don’t worry about the clean-up, as these two horn-dogs are responsible for much of it, they can deal with it later.”

“We only broke the chair, we didn’t dirty all the dishes,” Jimmy protested.

“And neither did Rory.” Barry slapped Jake’s butt again. “Mush!”

Jimmy snickered and followed Jake and Barry into the hallway.

Rory turned back to the table, and with a heavy heart, began to gather the dishes. He certainly didn’t begrudge the attention and loving Barry was receiving, although Rory was envious of how Jimmy or Jake would often pick Barry up and carry him around. He wished he had someone big and strong who’d do that to him. He tried so hard not to look over at Zane.

“You stack ’em and I’ll carry ’em,” the object of Rory’s impossible fantasy suggested