The Facility

They drove several more hours before Maggie pointed to a sign that informed them that a mall was just up ahead.

“Let’s hope it is a good shopping day,” Lyle quipped. He pulled into the parking lot of a good sized, two-story mall that was moderately full.

“We should do some quick shopping, and then find a replacement vehicle and transfer everything over. Most of it is packed up, so we can transfer things pretty fast,” Lyle told them.

“What do we need” Gemma asked.

“Another change of clothes would probably be good,” Maggie suggested.

“And we can take some time to grab some lunch while we are here,” Rudi quickly said.

“All you think about is food,” Gemma said to him.

“I’m a growing boy.”

“I do not know about the rest of you, but that stomach of your sure is,” Gemma shot back, getting a laugh from everyone but him.

Lyle picked a spot to park that was not too close, nor too far so he could browse what might be available as they left. They needed something that could hold five plus Harley, so it had to be big and not some two-door sports car.

Lyle did not like, nor did he approve of stealing a car – again – but they did not really have many options. It was not like they could just go rent a car and they did not have enough cash to buy a used car or something like that. He vowed to do the best he could to make it up to whoever it was that ended up without a vehicle because of them today.

As they got out, Lyle told Cass to pull out Harley’s vest and handed her the pair of dark glasses he had given to Rudi at the fair. He put the vest on Harley, and she put on the glasses.

“It is your turn,” Lyle said to her. “Harley acts more natural with you, so this should be easy for you. Just remember what I told Rudi about looking at people only after they talk to you and let Harley guide you.”

“You mean pull you along,” Rudi interjected.

Lyle laughed and said, “Yeah.”

While Lyle put the vest on the dog, Cass gave him some water and a few treats really quick.

“Okay,” Maggie said when he was done. “Remember, one big happy family and keep your eyes open for anything out of place, or anyone who looks familiar.”

“Yeah, a big, happy foster family,” Rudi stage whispered. “Two white parents, a white daughter, a black daughter, and a Hispanic son.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Gemma said defensively.

Rudi put an arm around her shoulder and said, “Nope, not a thing, sis,” and kissed her cheek.

She gave him a look that suggested she had just sucked on a very sour lemon but did not pull away.

Lyle finished with the vest and Cass looked at him through the dark glasses, before taking ahold of the harness grip.

“Lead away,” she said to no one in particular.

Maggie led the group, followed by the kids and Harley, with Lyle bringing up the rear. They entered the air-conditioned mall, much to everyone’s relief. The air outside had been muggy after the rain, and the cool felt good.

“Where to?” Lyle asked, after he entered.

“Shopping, food, vehicle, in that order,” Maggie said.

He did not argue with her and simply nodded. They walked down the wing of the mall where they had entered, window shopping – except for Cassidy, who wanted to look but kept her eyes forward along with her head.

“Oh, this looks promising,” Maggie said eyeing a store. The window displayed young women’s apparel.

Rudi groaned. “Do I have to go in?” he asked Lyle. “There is an arcade right there,” he said, pointing across the way and two doors down.

While Lyle did not really mind tagging along with the girls, he remembered what it felt like to be a kid shopping with females. “They should not be too long, so here is five dollars,” he said handing Rudi the money. To Maggie he said, “I will stay out here and keep an eye on things.” He pointed at the benches strategically placed in the middle of the walkway for shoppers to rest.

Maggie nodded as Rudi took off to the arcade and Lyle left to go sit on a bench so he could keep an eye on both directions.

The girls started into the store where a teenager wearing a name badge said, “No dogs allowed.”

“He is a seeing eye dog,” Maggie told her.

“Sorry, store policy,” the girl said, clearly not sorry.

Maggie started to reply, but Cass stopped her. “It’s okay,” she said. “It’s not like he can see the clothes and tell me what they look like, or what looks good. Stay Harley.”

There was a moment where everyone seemed to hold their breath as they all knew Harley took commands in German, so no one was sure if he would know or follow the command and obey. He surprised everyone when he sat, but Cass caught that he cocked his head, looking up at her as if he were making sure he did what she wanted him to do.

Cass reached down, lowering the grip, and rubbed up his back to his head, where she gave his ears a quick scratch before she said, “Good boy.”

Gemma reached out and took Cass’s hand and said, “This is discrimination you know. She could sue you.” Then lower she said, “Next thing you know, you will be telling me I cannot come in the store. Crazy southerners. Ever hear of the civil rights movement?”

Cass squeezed her hand and said, “It’s okay. I do not want any trouble. Not everyone sees disabilities the same way.”

Gemma looked at her and she could tell Gemma was genuinely upset, but got Cassidy’s meaning and said nothing else as she pulled Cass away to look at clothes.

Maggie had walked away and did not catch the conversation, or she would have made an issue out of it as well, Cass thought.

Occasionally, Cass would take a glance over at Harley, who sat patiently by the entrance, and his tail would swish when she did. Even through the glasses it seemed he could tell when she looked at him.

Maggie quietly told them to each pick out an outfit, which they did. She had already grabbed some socks and underwear for the girls and once the outfits were selected, they paid for everything, all the while Gemma was giving the salesgirl an evil glare.

Each girl took a bag and Gemma pretended to lead Cass back to Harley, who’s tail wagged at her return. She patted his head before reaching down to take hold of the handle of the harness.

“Come on,” she said as Harley got up and turned them around.

As they walked out of the store, Cass thought hard trying to send Rudi a message that they were finished. She smiled when she heard, “I’m coming,” in her mind.