“Rise and shine sleepy head. It’s time to gather the eggs, pull the loose fuzz from the bunnies, and turn your blue nose cousin out to pasture. And don’t forget the termite man will be here,” Virginia sang.
Frank didn’t open his eyes. He managed to answer her with, “Today would be a good day for you to drive your car to the river, and don’t stop until your hat floats.”
“My mother warned me you’d never amount to a hill of beans, and my mother was never wrong,” she laughed.
Frank tossed his cover off, and sat on the edge of the bed. “I can’t decide if we should get twin beds, or not. I could sleep in the basement, or I could sleep with old Blue in the barn. Either way I’d get more sleep.”
“I heard that. How burnt do you want your toast?”
Frank now half awake, stumbled his way to the kitchen, and sat at the table. After rubbing his eyes, he picked up a piece of still warm toast from the serving dish. “Honey, congratulations, you got a third degree burn on my toast, and this is by far the greatest cup of lukewarm coffee I’ve ever had,” he grumbled.
“Oh Frank, you’re so romantic. I hope this morning never ends,” she said faking a blush.
Virginia removed the cold coffee, and burnt toast. She lightly tickled his ear in a playful manner.
Now fully awake, and in a better mood, he hunched his shoulders, and said, “I must have ticks on me from the woods. I can feel them crawling on my ear.”
“After we eat, I’ll use Jack’s flea and tick powder to dust your head and ears,” she laughed.
He smiled, as she served him his breakfast of hot coffee, and lightly toasted whole wheat bread, with lots of strawberry jam. She then placed her breakfast on the table, and sat to enjoy her bagel and cream cheese.
“Please pass the cream dear,” she said sweetly.
Frank half-heartedly scooted the cream pitcher a few inches as he said, “Now you’re gonna ruin a good cup of coffee. Pouring cream in it should be illegal.”
The phone ringing in the living room attracted her attention. She chatted for several minutes, and returned to the kitchen, where Frank was rinsing his cup and plate.
“That was Ann. She and Harry are coming over this weekend for an indoor picnic. Ann said the gnats flying around her face made her dizzy, and gave her a headache the last time we ate outside. We’ll eat at the kitchen table. You and Harry can find a spot in front of the television set, and tell lies to one another all afternoon.”
Frank put on his white ball cap, with red USA letters on the front. He adjusted it so the bill would shade his eyes. “I’ve never heard of an indoor picnic,” he said stepping out the back door.
Jack spotted the old timer and dashed to his side, as they began their daily routine. They hadn’t got very far when Jack’s ears perked straight up. His eyes held fast on the car he didn’t recognize. Tensing up, a soft growl started to build in his throat.
“Easy Jack, I think it’s just the termite guy. Come on, let’s go introduce ourselves.”
The visitor stopped his older model pickup and stepped out. He was dressed in blue jeans, and a white tee shirt. Smiling and waving to Frank he said, “Good morning, Mr. Turner, I’m Bill Morgan. I spoke with your lovely wife yesterday about an inspection for termite damage. With your location so close to the forest, it makes you vulnerable for termite infestation.”
Jack moved close to Frank’s leg, and Frank could feel the pressure of Jack’s body against his leg. Jack began to growl again.
“Here, what’s the matter with you? Calm down,” Frank commanded.
Bill Morgan attempted to ignore Jack, “Say, aren’t you the fella with the dog that helped the authorities with the Boy Scout murders?” he asked.
Frank acknowledged that he was, and held a firm grip on Jack’s collar, and ordered him again to sit as Jack bared his teeth.
“I’ll get my equipment from the truck, and we can get started in the basement. It’d be best if the dog stayed outside during the inspection. He doesn’t seem to like me,” Morgan said.
“I’ve noticed that. It’s probably the termite spray he smells on your clothes,” Frank noted.
Without warning Jack lunged. Knocking him to the ground, he repeatedly bit, and ripped at the arms, legs, and face of Bill Morgan, who fought wildly to ward off Jack’s attack.
Stunned at first, Frank regained his senses, and fought to grab Jack’s collar while shouting commands for Jack to stop, but he continued his relentless assault. Jack now had the man face down on the ground, and was shaking him like a rag doll.
Virginia had been watching from the house, and was stunned at what was taking place. She ran to the back door, and removed Frank’s shotgun that was hanging over the door. Rushing outside she pointed the gun upward and fired a blast into the air. The discharge startled Jack and he reeled away from the sound. Frank seized the moment to grab Jack’s collar to control him. Jack lunged toward the bleeding man on the ground, and almost pulled Frank off his feet. Holding tight, he restrained Jack, dragging him to his kennel and locking him in.
Virginia gasped as she surveyed Bill Morgan’s wounds. She told Frank to stay with him as she then went into the house to phone for an ambulance. She returned with a first aid kit. Frank was exhausted from wrestling Jack into the kennel. Laying down on his back, he gasped for air.
It seemed like forever waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The paramedics relieved Virginia, and started treatment. Frank pulled himself to a standing position, and held on to the kennel gate. He motioned to Virginia for help. Rushing to his side with a lawn chair, she helped him sit.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right?” she asked in a frantic state.
“I think it’s a heart attack. I can’t breath. I’ve got pain in my arm and chest,” Frank choked and coughed out the words.
Virginia yelled to the paramedics for help. A female paramedic laid Frank on the grass, as she checked his vital signs. “He’s hyperventilating. Do you have a paper bag or sack he can breathe into?” she asked Virginia.
“Yes,” she said heading into the house.
The Sheriff pulled to the side of the road as the ambulance left the driveway. The driver slowed, and called to him as they passed, “This guy’s chewed up real bad, but no vital injuries. He’ll be okay.” The ambulance siren then blared as it zoomed for the hospital.
Sheriff Sparks located Frank and Virginia in the back yard. Frank was breathing into a paper sack, while she stood next to him, rubbing his shoulders. The sheriff noticed Jack was locked in the kennel.
“Is Frank going to be okay?” he asked.
“Yes, he’ll be fine as soon as he calms down. He’s improved much already,” she answered.
“It might be a good idea to put Frank to bed, and be sure to keep Jack confined until we hear from the county health department. They always contact the owner whenever an animal has bitten someone. They worry about rabies and what not. I’ll have this guy’s truck towed from your drive. I’d like to look it over,” he said.