part I, of II parts
The widow was left alone in her house at 75 years of age in perfect health. She was independent, rode a tractor, and had cut her own finger off when she chopped her wood for the winter stove.
She woke every morning at 6:00 to heat the kettle and let the dog out. Ebby, her dear, was her final companion in this life before she would spend the last remaining years alone. She would not admit this, but she loved the dog.
He was not allowed on the furniture or her bed, but he had his own bed on the floor. She vacuumed his bed once a week. When she left him alone, he whimper at the door and stared out until she returned, then he was happy again.
She called him a pest and nuances, but he shared her coffee every morning. Ebby followed her around the kitchen, getting underfoot, by waiting for her to sit and give him her coffee. Every morning, at least once, she yell, “Get out of the way!” And he dance around her feet excitedly for the saucer of coffee.
Placing her dishes on the table, she then leaned over and filled his dish with exactly three quarters of a cup of kibble. She pulled out her chair, sat, opened the paper and began sipping her coffee to slowly wake up.
She looked over the paper and yell, “You damn dog.” It would wait for its saucer before it ate its kibble. She tipped the coffee and splashed a taste into the saucer and placed it on the floor. Ebby was well trained and knew to wait until she lifted her hand away before jumping on the saucer.
She smiled as she drank her next sip. No one had enjoyed such simplicity with her as much as this dog. Sometimes she looked at him and thought, what would he say if he could talk. I love you?
Their morning moved on. Dot had a washer and drier that she never used. She washed her underwear in the sink and hung it on hangers in the shower to dry. She was busy doing this as the dog lay on his bed chewing a bone. He listened to her wash as he chewed and he knew she was close by.
The morning sun flooded the picture window. The light was glorious as she quietly prayed and quilted while rejoicing in this moment. She then turned her attention to the TV and paused to rest her hands and back. She was old, but yet she still had much energy. Life was lovely, especially in the spring.
The TV shows moved through the timetable, but she was distracted by good thoughts, a few memories, and criticism of younger great grandchildren. It was funny how quilting was a working meditation. Then she saw the time and realized she may be late for her afternoon date with her daughter if she didn’t move along.
Standing slowly she yelled, “Lunch Ebby!” Lunch was much simpler than breakfast, because Ebby was patient and there was no kibble to ignore and irritate Dot. Ebby got to lick the Stoffer’s plastic pan after Dot was done with lunch. He sat at her feet as she read another section of the newspaper. Lunch was pleasant.
After the licking frenzy, the dog recognized the rush of Dots feet shuffling to get ready to go out. He always assumed he would go too as often this was the case. He hopped about hopefully, until Dot hissed at him and told him to settle down.
She stood by the door after she put on her coat and Ebby sat looking at her with perked ears. “Alright you little nuisance, let’s put on your leash. We are going to visit Eli, your big friend.” Ebby got up and wiggled about as he knew he was going for a ride to see his best friend Eli.
Dot drove a big red truck with a pink racing stripe on the side. As she pulled out, her neighbor smiled and waved back as he saw the old woman and the dog drive away, like a pair of carefree teenagers. It really was a lovely and humorous sight, and Dot knew it.
The dogs were happily playing in Dot’s daughter fenced in outdoor kennel. The two ladies sat on the outside and drank ice tea with peppermint. Dot’s daughter knew that Dot had been deprived of a good marriage. Her husband had been an alcoholic, although a non-violent one. The absence of a partner, made Dot into a bitter mother, feeling challenged by the demands of her 4 children and no careers outlet to gain self-satisfaction from. Somehow the youngest of her children had maintained a harmonious relationship with her.
“Eli, cookies!”, Anna said as she threw carrots over the fence. These cookies were like finding Heaven to Ebby. To him it was like eating a cannoli for the first time. Oh, the virgin moment of a dog’s discovery of the sweet juices of a carrot.
He rooted for all the carrots, until they were gone. His salivation was strung across the grass as he sniffed, hoping for one last morsel. Anna, laughing, threw a few more over and turned back to talk to her mother. She enjoyed her mother’s pleasure that she took from the dog. Growing up, she was so seldom happy. Now that her father was dead, sadly Dot smiled more often.
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