Sally was a bit nervous; today, she had decided to invite her new acquaintance over for a tea party at her place. Jack had entered her life just a couple of months ago when they met at a dance class, and he had escorted her home afterward. Their meetings had become more frequent since then.
Sally had already finished her teacher training college and got a job at a youth center, while Jack worked in a design office after finishing university. He was handsome, well-read, calm, and Sally liked him immediately.
She was a serious girl herself and was looking for someone special to start a family with, just like her mom, who raised her alone after becoming a widow early on, had taught her. Her mother worked as a conductor on the railway, often away on trips, so Sally grew accustomed to being independent. She baked homemade cookies, tidied the apartment, and took her beloved little dog, Bella, for a walk, a pet she adored dearly.
Sally and her neighbor, Tom, a young guy living a floor below, had found Bella. They were returning from a ski trip in the nearby woods when they noticed a puppy left by the store.
It turned out to be a little girl, shivering and cold. Tom picked her up and carried her home, but since his family already had a cat and a dog, he suggested Sally take the puppy. She didn’t hesitate for a moment.
“I’ll help you walk her when you’re in class,” Tom promised. “I know your mom is good-hearted and wouldn’t just throw such a cute creature out on the street,” he said.
Sally had been friends with Tom for a long time; they had grown up in the same neighborhood. But Tom was a year and a half younger, and he was about to join the army, waiting for his call-up any day.
Sally always felt Tom’s kindness, but he was just a friend and a great guy to her. All the neighbors were surprised at how much Tom helped Sally with everything. He would meet her after classes at the entrance, bring groceries if Sally was sick and her mom was at work, collect the mail, and accompany her on walks.
“Oh, how Tom worries now that you have a boyfriend,” Sally’s mother said. “He’s been in love with you since childhood. Don’t you feel sorry for him?”
“Why should I feel sorry for him? He’s a great guy, and he’ll find someone. Besides, he’s younger than me, Mom. Almost two years younger. I need someone older. Isn’t that right?”
“It’s right when people are suited to each other in character, interests, and, of course, when there is love,” her mom replied.
Sally patted Bella, placed her on a small pillow on the couch, and said, “Today, you’ll meet my friend. You’ll like him, I’m sure. You’ll see… He’s great. And handsome!”
She left for her date and soon returned home, accompanied by a young, well-dressed, tall, and handsome man.
Sally invited Jack into the kitchen first and served him tea with her cookies. He approved of the recipe and drank two cups with delight.
“My mother bakes amazing pies. And cookies too. So I know what’s good, and I believe every girl should not only cook well but bake too. That’s her duty as the keeper of the hearth, and you’re on the right track,” he praised Sally, “just don’t overdo it with the sugar. It’s not healthy at any age.”
They moved to the living room where Jack began to look at the books in the shelf. He had more to say to Sally.
“Fantasy is, of course, for the enthusiasts. I don’t waste my time on it. But classics, they’re always pleasant, useful, and relevant. Plus, they’re studied everywhere: school, college, and universities. So, are you planning to continue your education? When?”
“Yes, I enrolled in a part-time course. Didn’t I tell you? Of course, higher education is necessary. I get it,” Sally replied.
“Part-time is not the same as full-time, but at least it’s something if there’s no other way,” Jack concluded as he looked at a photo of Sally with her mother.
Then he noticed the little dog on the couch. Bella was sleeping and didn’t react to the guest. She was a very calm dog, especially hearing her owner’s voice.
“What’s this?” Jack was astonished. “You have a dog in the house?”
“What surprises you? Yes. Meet my beloved Bella,” Sally’s eyes warmed with affection.
“I see, but I’ve always thought animals should be kept outside, not where you sleep. They’re very infectious. My mother works at a pharmacy, studied science, and knows firsthand how dangerous it is to keep animals at home. Allergies, fur, smells, disturbances, and above all, lots of infectious bacteria dangerous to human health…” Jack’s face showed disgust and evident displeasure.
“Almost everyone has dogs and cats, often both, like our neighbours. And nothing happens.”
“Well, it’s a mistake. A big mistake,” Jack interrupted, dissatisfied. “If people were more educated, studied medicine, or at least basic hygiene, they’d understand the absurdity of such meaningless love for animals. They’re not people. Just animals. Imagine all the parasites they carry, and if you took a microscope and looked at this pillow where she sleeps, you’d be horrified…”
“I often wash this pillowcase, and my mom and I have never gotten sick, never noticed anything…” Sally tried to explain to her friend, feeling defeated.
“Of course, you never noticed. Because it doesn’t show immediately. Over the years, health starts to decline, and you won’t know why. You shouldn’t keep animals indoors. In villages, they live outside, which is fine, but not in rooms where people, children live!” Jack wasn’t relenting, giving her a lecture.
Sally felt upset. She saw Bella lift her head with a confused look, then glance at the young man and nestle back into the pillow.
“And you’ve never had a puppy or a kitten?” Sally suddenly asked.
“I haven’t. But I don’t miss it. It’s not that I don’t love them, I just understand that being healthy and living rightly is more important,” Jack replied smugly. “You don’t want your children to be sick, do you?”
“Of course not, but my children will be well. I’ll take care of their health and happiness…” Sally whispered. “Let’s go for a walk, the weather is so nice. Why stay inside?”
They headed outside, walking towards the park. Tom watched Sally from his window and nearly cried. He couldn’t bring himself to confess his feelings to Sally. Their friendship was warm, tender, and so familiar that he wouldn’t dare to speak of love.
After walking in the park with her friend, Sally mentioned urgent matters and bid a cold farewell.
“Shall I call?” Jack asked.
She nodded and hurried home. Tom was sitting sadly at the entrance. Seeing Sally return so soon lifted his spirits, and he gestured her to sit beside him.
They sat in silence for a while, then Sally sighed and said, “Wow… This Jack guy… At first, you wouldn’t think he’s such a dry, pharmacy type. People like that, talking about germs, germs… Who does he think he is?”
Tom looked at her incomprehensibly but nodded with joy and agreement.
“Can you imagine, he’s against dogs and cats! Doesn’t like them and can’t understand why people do? I didn’t even argue or explain. I felt repelled by him. Like a cold chill swept over me. What a type. A sterile soul… Without germs, smells, dust, colour, and feelings…” Sally couldn’t hold back.
“So, is it over with him?” Tom dared to ask.
“With him, nothing ever started. Thank God it didn’t. And if not for Bella… how would I have known right away that he’s like that? What if I’d fallen in love and got married? And he can’t stand dogs and cats? I can’t live without my Bella, and I won’t let her come to harm!” Sally almost shouted.
“Calm down, calm down,” Tom rubbed her back gently, and suddenly he burst out too:
“Sally, you’re the best, the kindest, the most beautiful… Don’t worry. You know how much I adore you. I’m leaving for the army, here’s the notice… Just wait for me, and I’ll do everything to make you the happiest… We’d be the happiest together…” he handed her the paper. It was the call-up from the recruitment office.
Without looking up, Sally took the paper and sighed:
“So you’re leaving too… I’ll be all alone…”
“Why alone? You have your mom and Bella! They love you so much. And I love you too… I’ll write to you. And call when I can. I’ll be back soon. It feels long, but time flies fast, Sally…” he knelt in front of her, taking her hands.
“Tom, the neighbors might see. Stand up…” Sally blushed.
“Let them see. I’m not ashamed, and I can tell everyone that I love you!” he said, standing up, not letting go of her hands, already happy that she didn’t pull away, “Promise you’ll wait for me.”
“Let’s go for a walk with Bella. Today has been a day of turmoil; I definitely won’t forget it,” Sally smiled, “Spare me, and don’t ask for anything yet…”
They walked to the park. Bella ran around, constantly looking back at her owner and Tom, who embraced Sally and walked as if enchanted, savoring her presence, listening to her breath and the scent of her perfume…
Saying goodbye to Tom at the recruitment office early in the morning, she froze in his embrace. They spent the last few evenings walking until dark, as if they had burst into a magical adult world of love, tenderness, and the upcoming long separation.
“I’ll wait for you, Tom…” she whispered, “and you write…”
At her feet, Bella sat obediently on a leash, the little creature that in many ways had brought this pair together. The bus with the recruits left. Sally walked home, leading Bella on a leash and whispering to her:
“Don’t worry, my girl; we’ll wait for our soldier. How else? He loves us both.”
