A few passengers around her looked at one another, and some were chuckling at her. The man who had earlier spoken up in Liam’s defense leaned toward Clara. “Ma’am, you’re overreacting. Adding breaks between each word for emphasis, he continued, “It. is. just. a. dog. And you’re making everyone nervous.”
Clara shot him a glare. “I don’t need your lecture,” she spat, her voice sharp and laced with bitterness. “You don’t understand. I’ve had really terrible experiences with them. I’m afraid of them, okay? You’re not helping by making me feel worse.”