Mary probably would have continued playing for hours, if she hadn't seen the man watching them from a bench outside the enclosure. Embarrassed, Mary slowly walked to the gate trying to avoid his gaze. To her horror, he followed her to the gate.
"Oh, don't mind me. I think that's the most fun Max has had in quite a while, " he said.
"Max? " she asked.
"Yes, Max is the dog you're having some much fun with. I'm responsible for him", he said with a smile. As Mary continued to walk to the gate, Max followed her, jumping around her and occasionally barking. It was obvious he was enjoying the game and didn't want it to end.
"I' m sorry," she said sheepishly. "I wasn't trying to steal him or anything. I just saw him alone out here and I thought he needed some help."
"It's no problem, " he said. "I should actually be thanking you. We're not supposed to leave dogs unattended out here. I had just dropped Max off when I got kind of an emergency call, and I had to run over to my apartment to take care of it". He pointed to the apartments nearby, where Mary also lived. "You look familiar. Do you live around here?"
Mary remembered the man. He lived on the same floor as her, and she thought he was very attractive. But she never found the courage to ask him out. "Yes, we live in the same building."
"Of course, now I remember," said the man. "My name is John, by the way."
"I'm Mary, " she said. She had reached the gate, opposite John. She extended her hand, and John shook it.
John though that Mary was cute, and had thought about asking her out. But he had just been too preoccupied with work lately for any other kind of relationship. Besides, when he had occasionally seen her in the hallway, she seemed a little cold and distant, avoiding eye contact. Meeting her up close now, he realized that she was just really shy. Before he shook her hands, he hadn't noticed how oddly shaped they were. Her fingers seemed kind of short and stubby, and the fingernails were long, thick with a slight black sheen. But she was a nice girl, so he tried not to stare.
"What was your emergency?" Mary asked. Max continued to pace around her. Occasionally, nuzzling or licking her hand. He did not want her standing at the fence talking. He wanted to play.
"Well, it was a work thing. I train dogs for a living - dogs like Max. One of my clients is having a lot of problems with their dog, and they needed some immediate advice." he said. As if on cue, his phone began to ring. "Not again. Sorry we are going to have to leave. Come, Max."
Slowly, but obediently, Max walked to the gate and allowed John to put on his leash. Mary leaned over to Max's face to say goodbye, and scratched his head.
"Thank you, Max, it was the most fun I've had for a long time, too." said Mary.
Unexpectedly, Max began to lick her face, occasionally getting his tongue in her mouth.
"Heel, Max, heel," said John as he pulled Max away. "Sorry about that. I'm still training him."
"It's okay," said Mary, a little dazed. Her face felt a little funny. She was wondering if it had something to do with the potion. I better get home, too, she thought, and quickly.
"Thanks again for your help, "said John. "I really owe you one. If you come over sometime, I promise I will make it up to you. And, of course, you can play with your friend here."
"I might just do that," said Mary with a smile. She turned and looked to the apartment complex. John noted that she appeared a little anxious.
"Well, you know where I live. Come over anytime," said John. He turned and walked back to the apartment complex.
Mary retrieved her hat from the enclosure, and exited the pen. She looked at her feet; they appeared even longer now, and her toes appeared thick and short. Her nails were much thicker, slightly curved, and appeared to be covered in black nail polish. There was no way her sneakers would fit now. She grabbed her shoes and quickly ran home, curious to see what other changes were in store for her.