Nicole Charbonneau

The Dog Walker

It was a gusty October afternoon, and the smell of rain was still in the air from the heavy storm that passed by the night before. Toby Pearson walked along the winding sidewalk on Auckland Street, kicking up sticks and leaves with a sturdy but well-worn pair of black Doc Martins strapped to both feet. He air drummed along to an old Metallica song until he was satisfied with his solo performance and his knuckles were a raw pink from the cold.