Marie clicked off the television set. Nine o'clock. Maybe she'd turn on the television in her bedroom for a little while. She started her shift at seven in the morning so she needed to get into bed.
"Want to go out once more, Ike?" She looked at the big dog pacing circles in the kitchen. "Come on. One last trip."
But when she went to open the door he hurled himself against her, nearly knocking her to the floor.
"Ike? What's the matter with you? Come on. One last potty break tonight."
But the moment she approached the door again, the dog braced itself on all fours and snarled at her. It was the first sign of aggressive behavior she'd seen in the two years she'd had Ike. Now she frowned at him.
"What is wrong? You never act like this." She threw up her hands. "All right, all right. But be warned. I'm not getting up in the middle of the night."
The dog pressed close to her as she moved through the house, turning off lights, locking doors, and made her way into the bedroom.