She gazed into the dark pool dotted with dead leaves, and seemed to see the image of a naked infant floating beneath the surface.  She felt what seemed like a throb inside her, and she placed her hand on her belly just below her navel.  A warm, calm feeling came over her and she hoped she was pregnant. She heard the soft sound of tapping all around her, and then saw the pool come alive with raindrops hitting the surface.  Eventually the rain reached her, and she called for Noodle and headed for home.
     When they came out of the woods the sky was a dark grey.  The rain was coming down more heavily, and Katherine turned up the collar of her jacket and slapped her thigh, urging Noodle to keep up.  He stopped occasionally to shake himself, but as they walked through the planted field, both started to get very wet.  Katherine didn’t want to run full tilt for fear of alarming or straining Noodle, who seemed to be  making an enormous effort already. 
     Rain oozed out of her sodden hair and into her eyes as she stared at the corn field.  Cautiously she climbed the wet, slippery fence rails, and the geese began their alarm manouevres again.  They didn’t seem perturbed by the rain, but why would they, she thought.  Nice weather if you’re a goose. 
     She bent over to avoid a gust of wind that blew the rain into her face.  They plodded on toward home.  Her heart lifted when she saw the roof and she cheered Noodle on.  His puppy fur was flat and slick until he would give an instinctive shake, when he would look like himself for a moment.  Katherine cut across the corner of the cornfield and at once her boots started to pick up heavy clumps of mud from the harvested field.  Noodle’s wide, fat paws carried him on top of the mud.  Quickly they passed the stable and were at the back door of the house.  Katherine held open the door for Noodle, and then inside, she sank down onto a chair. 
     Soaking wet and dirty, Noodle started to go into the kitchen, and Katherine called him back.  Wearily she realized that she would have to clean him up before he could wander around.  She unlaced and pried off her boots and hung up her jacket.  She went into the kitchen and closed the door on Noodle who gave a sound of protest. 
     Upstairs, she rubbed her hair with a towel and then peeled off her wet clothes, flinging them over the side of the tub to drip.  Her flesh was chilled.  What a change from last night.  She pulled out some other clothes and shivered as she got dressed.  Before going out to Noodle, she went to the thermostat and gratefully heard the furnace come to life below.  She had her hand on the doorknob to the addition before realizing that she needed to be better prepared to handle a wet, muddy puppy.  She filled a plastic mixing bowl with warm water and put in a dishrag.  She found a couple of worn towels and rolled up her sleeves. 
     “No!” she said firmly as he jumped up against her with muddy paws. “Look what you did!” Black smears marked her fresh sweatpants. “Don’t jump.” Katherine sighed and shook her head. Words from the dog training book floated into her mind: To prevent the annoying habit of jumping up on people, be careful never to delight the dog. But all I did was come into the room, she thought. How could that delight him? As she tried to clean him with the rag he wriggled for joy and bit playfully at her hands, all the while making adorable facial expressions.  It was exhausting but endearing. Finally she flung the towel over him and his little black furry face peered out at her.  When she started to rub him dry, he squirmed to see the hands that were feeling him all over. How could you not want to delight your dog, she wondered. I guess the trick is making sure he’s clean.  
     When Noodle was safe to bring into the main part of the house, Katherine opened the door and he went happily into the kitchen.  Then he stopped and shook himself.  A small spray of water flew in all directions and Katherine closed her eyes.  She wanted to put her feet up under an afghan, drink a hot coffe and eat a danish while reading anything.  How to do that with Noodle underfoot?  She put the second towel on the floor and got a dog cookie.  While Noodle closed his eyes and chewed, she filled the kettle.
     A hot mug and a sweet pastry in her hands, she headed for the couch in the living room. Thankfully settling in, she noticed the flashing light on her answering machine and pushed the playback button. Rick’s voice filled the room. “Thank you for dinner, and last night.  I really enjoyed myself.  As I think you know.  Hope you’re okay.  Talk to you later.” 
     He called, she thought.  He said he would, and he did, right away.  But does that mean that he won’t call again?  She replayed his message, searching for clues.  Was it a casual courtesy call, or a lover’s call?  She could read intimacy in some of what he said, but cool distance in the rest of it.  She listened to his voice again, closing her eyes and remembering him in the dark.  There was real caring in his voice, wasn’t there?  But no sign when we’ll see each other again.  She grew disgusted with herself for mooning like a schoolgirl over a recorded message.  But she didn’t erase it.
     On an impulse she went for the phone book, which was still near the phone in the kitchen, and looked up his number.  She found it and dialled.  It rang four times before a recording came on.  “Hi Rick, it’s Katherine.  I just got in and heard your message.  Thought I’d catch you in.  Well, call me back when you get this.  Bye.”  As she hung up the phone, she glanced out the window and saw that it was still streaming outside.  He’d hardly be outside in this.  And if he’s not home, where did he call from?

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