Donny’s grandfather stood and stretched. Rubbing the seat of his britches, “One of these days, I’ll buy a cushion for that darn rocker.” Sitting down he continued his story.
The weeks seemed to fly by. Frank and Virginia were winding down the plumbing business. He traded the old blue Chevy company truck, with over a hundred thousand miles on it, for a cherry-red Ford pickup with only six thousand miles on the odometer.
That weekend he planned to lay a brick walk from the house to where he decided to plant grapes, and build an arbor. Nothing too fancy; it would be ten feet long, four feet wide, and six feet tall. Enclosing the sides and top with chicken-wire for the vines to wrap around as they grew. The instructions on how to build an arbor came from one of Frank’s many magazines he loved to browse.
He was looking forward to growing the biggest, juiciest grapes in the state. The same as his father had grown when he was a child.
Frank ate breakfast in a hurry. Wanting to get an early start, he waved to Virginia as he hurried to the garage. He double checked the equipment, and tools needed for the job ahead. All was in readiness.
The puppies next door at the Carmichael’s started yapping up a storm as Harry approached them with their breakfast.
Frank locked the garage as he headed across the yard to the fenced in area where Queenie and her pups were being fed.
“Had breakfast? I got plenty of puppy chow if you’re hungry?” Harry teased him.
“The little lady fed me earlier. I had a cold bowl of gruel, and it’ll last me till lunch,” he laughed.
“Better not let Virginia hear you say that.” Harry said scrapping the last of the puppy chow out of the pan.
Frank leaned on the fence, and watched the pups eat. Hooking his thumbs in his belt, “I’ve got an idea. You reckon I’d be okay if I took the black pup now? Let him get acquainted with my place?”
“Sure, as soon as he’s finished, he’s all yours.” Harry agreed.
Frank snatched up the pup a few minutes later, and headed for his red pickup. No time like the present he figured to get the pup use to riding in the truck. Excited, the pup jumped from the side window, to the dashboard, to Frank’s lap, while wagging his tail non-stop.
Frank waved to Harry as he backed out of the drive and headed down the road. The pup enjoyed the experience, but soon tired and snuggled close to Frank’s leg as the drone from the engine lulled him to sleep.
After a short while, Frank returned and the change in motion woke the pup. Leaping into action, he once again jumped all over the place.
Frank smiled at his antics. “Easy boy, we’re home.”
Climbing out he turned just in time to catch the pup as he too rushed out behind him. “Be careful, slow down, you’ll have all day to play.” Frank laughed, and sat the pup on the ground. Becoming alert, he stood erect, his head held high as he cautiously looked in every direction. Satisfied, he ran around the yard, nose close to the ground. It was a new world of sound, and scent, as he circled the house, and came to a stop at Frank’s side.
“How you like your new home?”
With tail wagging, he became bolder in his investigations. Each new discovery provided a wealth of things to play with. After several hours of this fascination, he found a quiet spot on the front porch, and fell asleep.
Frank in the mean time had been working on building his new arbor. He checked on the pup from time to time.
The silver four door sedan eased into the drive so quietly it wasn’t noticed. Virginia was proud of her old car. It ran, and drove like new. She and Frank had an agreement; he’d not drive her car, and she’d not dare drive his truck.
She tooted the horn to gain his attention, because she wanted help with the groceries. Brushing the dirt from his knees he hurried to the car, “Hi honey, I’m ready for a break.”
“I got some burgers for you and your new friend. Where is the little guy?”
“He’s pooped out. Last I saw he was snoozing on the porch, I’ll feed him later.” Frank said helping with the bags.
His eyes closed, lying on his side, he appeared to be asleep. Suddenly, the black pup perked up his ears, listening intently to a strange musical sound. Now fully awake, he walked to the edge of the porch, and looked in the direction of the nearby forest.
Fascinated by the sound, he jumped from the porch, and cautiously made his way across the large field. Stopping, he studied the dense woods before him. Feeling confident, he followed the mystical music as he entered the thick growth. Each time he attempted to move closer to the sound, it changed directions, and seemed to move deeper into the forest.
Undaunted, he stealthily continued to pursue the new, and exciting interest. Stopping suddenly, the musical sound became silent. Unsure what to do, he stood motionless, ears pointing straight up, listening for any sound in the now quiet forest.
Turning slowly in every direction, and watchful for any sign of movement, an eerie sensation of fear started to vibrate through his small body as he crouched, and began to cower. Mosquitoes buzzed around his little snout. Turning around, he headed back in the direction he had come from, afraid to venture any further.
Virginia finished lunch, “I’ll fetch your little friend. You can feed him,” she said heading out of the kitchen. Entering the living room through the open arched doorway, she stopped. Pushing open the screen door she went out onto the front porch. The door spring pulled the door shut behind her with a bang! How many years will that door slam shut before he does something about it she thought?
Looking around, the pup was not on the porch. She walked around the front, and side yard, without any sign of him. Whistling, she called for him as she made her way to the back yard.
Frank opened the back door, and hollered at her, “You’re going to attract every dog for two miles. Just go to the front porch, and pick him up,” he grumbled.
“He’s not on the porch. I can’t find him. I’ve been all around the house. If he wandered off into the woods, we’ll never find him,” she snapped at him, now standing with her hands on her hips, and a look of agitation on her face.
Frank searched his pants pocket for the truck keys. Now remembering he left them in the ignition switch. “I’ll drive across the field to the forest, and blow the horn, if he hears it, he’ll come.”
“I’ll wait here. If he doesn’t show up soon, I’m going to the ranger fire tower for help,” she said, remembering the Carmichaels were on vacation.
Frank raced across the rough field, and braked the truck to a halt where he thought the pup might have entered. He started beeping the truck’s horn. Virginia became impatient, and started for the ranger’s station. It was located in a remote section of the forest, and was difficult to reach. She’d been there once before with Frank. It was down a narrow dirt road that’s pock-marked with ruts and holes. She left a cloud of dust, driving faster than normal, dodging the low hanging tree limbs, as the wild brush scraped the sides of her car.
At last, she turned into the ranger station lot. Stopping next to a dust covered jeep, she hesitated a moment before climbing the steep ladder leading up to the lookout point. Reaching the top, she was out of breath not realizing how high up it was.
“I was on duty when she arrived,” the retired ranger told his grandson. Pausing, he asked Donny, “Want more cake? If you do, Rose can get it for you?”
Rose gave the old ranger a furious look as she turned toward Donny. “If you can wait an hour, I’ll fix you boys something to eat. You shouldn’t eat cake again; it’ll make you fat like your grandpa.”
“That’s okay, I can wait till then.” Donny answered as he winked at his grandfather.
Virginia caught her breath, and explained about the lost pup. At that time, I couldn’t do anything officially, but promised to come to her house after my shift ended. She waved as she descended down the ladder. On her drive home she whispered a prayer for the lost pup to return safely, and asked God to protect the finish on her silver car.
Virginia turned into the drive, and parked next to the house. Climbing from the car, she heard Frank, still blowing the horn. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shrilly whistled, and waved her arms to attract his attention. Stepping from the truck, he looked in her direction. She motioned for him to come to the house.
Entering the house, she waited for him in the kitchen. When he arrived, she explained, “The ranger said he’d stop by later, and for us to relax. Said he might return on its own.”
After ten minutes of drumming his fingers on the kitchen table, Frank couldn’t relax. Pacing the floor, he went from one window to another to look out. His frustration finally got the better of him. “I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve waited as long as I can,” he said heading out the door. Walking across the field of knee high fox-tail, and cocklebur weeds he made his way to the woods. Shouting for the pup didn’t bring any response other than to make him hoarse, so he finally gave up and returned home.
Virginia steeped a pot of tea, even though she knew he hated tea. “Here, let this trickle down your throat. It’ll sooth the pain, and relax the tightness.”
He stared at the cup a long time. Finally taking a sip, he faked choking, as he knew she was watching.
The lost pup was confused. This was a new experience, and he didn’t like it. He found a fallen tree, and worked his way among its branches. Hiding under its protective cover, he made himself as small as possible, not sure what to do next.
Donny’s grandfather crossed his legs, “Has it been an hour yet? I’m gettin’ hungry.”
“Just keep talkin.’ I’ll let you know when it’s time,” Rose growled.
The old gentleman laughed as he continued on.
The ranger arrived and turned in the driveway. The Turner’s were waiting on the porch. Virginia spoke to the ranger first, “Haven’t seen or heard nothin’ so far.”
“I doubt he’ll come back tonight. It’s almost dark. After the sun sets, I think he’ll find shelter, and stay put. I’ll be here early in the morning. We can decide then what to do next,” he said.
The Turners were alone in the drive, as the ranger drove away. “The Carmichaels are comin’ home tomorrow. They’ll have Queenie with them. We’ll get Harry to set Queenie on her pups scent.” Virginia said turning toward the house.
“Good idea,” Frank said following her.