Love For Hire

She tugged on his arm as they walked through the door of the trainers. It had days to wear Nicholas down enough to convince him to leave the confines of his palace. When Dr. Horton made a house call to see how the Prince was recovering, it had been a week since the incident, and Nicholas had finally left his room and was moving around the palace with one hand out in front of him, feeling the walls as he walked while learning how to use his support cane. Every time someone tried to help him, he would reject their help telling them he had to learn how to get around on his own. Kinsley spent much time at his side resisting the urge to lend aid, but she respected his wish for independence.

During his visit, Dr. Horton had suggested a service dog. They discussed the benefits of getting one, and then he told them where they could go to get one. It took a few more days to convince Nicholas just to go and check out the dogs.

“All of our service dogs are extensively trained from very young,” the manager said as he led them into the kennel. Kinsley knew that Nicholas was out of sorts. He was away from the comfort of his home, and his vision was greatly impaired. Wandering through a public building, he could not see clearly, had to be both frustrating and stressful. She would have offered him her arm to hold while she guided him, but he was a proud man, and independence was important to him, so instead, she did the girlfriend thing and held his hand, walking at his side while he used his support cane to feel out the world around him.

“I am not entirely sold on the idea of a dog,” Nicholas said as they stood in the kennel surrounded by service dogs in their cages.

“Oh, but Your Majesty, service dogs are a wonderful investment. They are loyal and well trained. They are your eyes. They help you navigate the world, and they are wonderful companions,” the manager said.

“Just look at the dogs, Nicholas….” Kinsley said and then paused mid-sentence realizing her mistake when he frowned at her. “Poor choice of words. Just keep an open mind. You might actually like one of them.”

“Our most popular breed is the Golden Labs.”

He turned up his nose. “Not exactly my style,” Nicholas sighed. “This is ridiculous.” He said, leaning on his cane.

“We also have a few German Shepherds and one Doberman.”

Kinsley noticed Nicholas perk up with interest. “Doberman? Now that one may be interesting.”

“You like Dobermans?” Kinsley asked him.

“I had one when I was a boy. It went everywhere with me,” the smile on his face made Kinsley smile. His past pet seemed like a good memory for him.

“Can you show us the Doberman?” Kinsley asked.

The manager led them to the cage at the end of the kennel and unlocked the door letting out an excited black pup. Holding it by the vest, it wore he ordered the pup to sit down, and it obeyed. It was very well trained. Awkwardly Nicholas got down on his knees and lay the cane on the floor next to him. Then he reached out and felt the dog, stroking its fur and smiling when it licked his hands.

is barely more than a pup, but he is well trained and good with people and other animals,” the manager said as Nicholas pet

is his name?” Nicholas

“Brutus.”

a

like you two like each other,”

think we do,” Nicholas agreed. “I will take

men to my office, we will get the

***

He could only see what was directly in front of him. It was strange, like looking

heard from a friend that her parents had been looking for her and worried. When asked why she did not tell

for nearly a year now felt strange, like a whole new place. He felt like Alice through the looking glass. Everything felt bigger than it used to. He was walking into furniture and doorjambs. He’d banged his knee four times just today and nearly tripped over an ottoman but had caught himself on the arm of a couch.

deduce what room he was in. His limited vision showed dark colours and large shapes. Nicholas braved the room and walked away from the wall. As he walked into the middle of the room,

running. He heard heavy footsteps rush into the room behind him. “Your

fine,” Nicholas assured him. “I just bumped into

me to help you

the floor next to the bench. Nicholas' hands moved over the keys. He could not see the keys. All he saw was a blur of white and

trying to reacquaint himself with the instrument. Octavius came to the piano. Nicholas looked up, and he could make out Octavius' large frame as he stood next to the piano. “Nicholas,” He said, speaking as a friend and not a servant, “Do not do this to yourself. I am excited you came out of your room, but you must accept your limitations,

played a simple verse. A grade school tune any five-year-old kid could play only in the wrong key. He started to feel the hopelessness set in again. He was never going to be able to do the things he loved again. He could not play music, could not ride a horse, or fence. He’d never enjoy the theatre again. He hung his head

Peaches.

he said,

against the hardwood floor as she walked his way. “You are getting better at this. How did you know I was

“Peaches. I smelled

other senses are better,” she was standing next to him; he could smell her perfume

to,” he said. “I cannot