Those 70ish Girls

Brad took the packet of letters Jamie had given him and walked out to the bunkhouse. It was near the paddock that was used to exercise his prized horses. He knew he could be alone there. Mark would be delivering the two horses Brad had sold to the new owner.

Brad had always loved horses. Even when he was a kid he had dreamed of owning a horse ranch. It had taken a lot of hard work, but he had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. It was only recently he had begun to realize how lonely his life had become. How lonely it had always been.

***Steve didn’t have room in his truck to take both me, and the nice lady we saw at the park, to see Katie. He said even though Katie would be really disappointed, he doubted very much this would be a day Katie and I would work together. I decided to follow Brad. I wanted to spend some time with him anyway.  He doesn’t mind if I go with him to the paddock as long as I don’t bark. Some of the horses are scared of frisbees, so I don’t take my frisbees out there, either. I just hang out with Brad and swim in the river.

Brad went inside the bunkhouse and sat in the old wooden rocker by the fireplace.

“Mark must have had a fire last night,” he said to himself. “The embers are still smoldering.” He looked up to see Arf come through the door.

“Hello, Arf. I thought you would be off with Steve today. I have to say, I’m happy to see you. I have to do something right now that I’m not sure I want to do. It will be nice to have a friend close by.”

***I laid down beside Brad’s chair. I couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad, but I was happy I was with my friend. The one who helps me take care of everybody.

“I think I have a pretty good idea that these letters were written by my Aunt and Uncle and sent to my grandparents. My aunt and uncle are the ones who took my little brother, Tom, after the fire. I refused to go with them. Why would I want to live with someone who hated me.”

It was two hours later when Brad and Arf walked back to the ranch house. Brad felt like every drop of blood had been drained from his body. All he wanted to do was shower and change before going on a long ride.

“Brad! Hey Brad!” Jamie was standing in front of her Jeep and was clearly trying to get Brad’s attention.

***She had a frisbee!

“Hi Jamie. Are you finally going to start moving your things over to the farm?”

“Yes…is your offer to help still open? I can’t fit much into this Jeep, and it sure would help if we could take those pieces from the attic in your truck.

“No problem. Mark will be back soon and we’ll get him to help us. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to shower before lunch.”

“I see you have the letters from the attic I gave to you yesterday. Did you read them?” Jamie knew it was none of her business, but she really wanted to know.

***Boy, this is as awkward as it was yesterday when Steve and I saw that pretty lady in the park. I’m glad I’m a dog. We’re never awkward.

“Yes,” Brad said. “And it’s going to take me a little while to digest what I read. It wasn’t exactly what I expected. You read them, Jamie. Was there anything that surprised you?”

“Only that you wanted everyone to believe that you had started the fire that killed your parents and twin sister. I guess you felt you needed to protect your little brother. The problem was… he knew the truth.”

“And now we don’t know where he is,” Jamie could see the pain in Brad’s eyes as he spoke. “The lie I convinced him to tell, hurt him more than the truth ever would have. I need to find my aunt and uncle. I had no idea they would treat Tom like they did.”

Later, Jamie went to the kitchen to get lunch and wait for Mark to get back. Miss Bessie and Grandma Helen were both sitting at the table and there didn’t appear to be any lunch prepared.

“What are you two beautiful ladies doing, and where is Alice?”

“We’re painting pictures,” Miss Bessie said. “We’re looking for productive things to do.”

“Didn’t you insist on taking over Alice’s cooking duties today, Miss B?” Helen tried to hide the smug look on her face.”

“Oh for goodness sake. I plum forgot. How does tuna fish sound?”

***Miss B, you know I hate tuna…

Jamie decided to retrieve the letters from the attic and give them to Brad. It wasn’t her place to discuss what she had learned from reading them with anyone else. For all she knew, Brad may already know about the contents and had decided to leave the past behind him. On the other hand, if he hadn’t read them, he might want to.

Miss Bessie was already in the kitchen when Brad came down for breakfast.

“Where is Jamie?” Brad asked. “Did she take a load of things over to the farm already?”

“No, Brad. I don’t believe so. I think she went back up to the attic. She said she wouldn’t be long.”

“Well, she must be finding what she needs. She’s spent a lot of time up there.”

“I made some scrambled eggs and bacon. I’ll put some toast in and you can have a nice breakfast.”

“Sounds good. Where is Alice this morning?”

“I told her to take the day off,” Miss B said rather sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind, Brad. I really had to do some convincing to get her to let me do the cooking, today. I need more to do. Have you ever thought about raising chickens and selling eggs? Maybe Jamie won’t want those chickens of mine, and we can bring them here. What do you think?”

“I think that’s between you and Jamie. Just let me know what you decide.”

Brad was finishing his breakfast when Jamie walked into the kitchen. She was carrying the list of items she hoped to take to the farm, and the letters.

“Hi Brad, Just the person I wanted to see. Here is the list of things I would like to borrow from the attic. I also have these letters to give to you. Arf found them and brought them to me when we were up there the other day. I must apologize. I should tell you I read them. At first, I had no idea they were written by one of your family members. If you haven’t already seen and read them, you might want to.”

Brad took the packet and laid it aside. “I haven’t looked through anything up there,” he said. “I was only up in the attic once to see how much room there was to store things and I could see it was already pretty full.”

Brad handed the list back to Jamie.

“Don’t think of it as borrowing these things. I’m sure I will never need them. They are yours to keep. Now, can Steve and I help you move? I think he plans to go back to the Research Hospital tomorrow.”

“Steve left with Arf early this morning,” Miss B said. “He didn’t say where they were going.”

***Steve and I are in his truck. I’m not sure where we’re going, but it’s really good to get away. Even dogs need to get away sometimes. I wonder how far away is. I’m glad I remembered to bring a frisbee.

Steve had done some research and found there were six hospice facilities within a hundred miles of the house he and Dina were living in when she left. He didn’t have any idea where she might be until he read her letter to her sister, Steph.

“What do you think I should say to Dina when we find her, Arf? I need to convince her to talk to Katie.”

***Katie…did he say Katie? Is that where we’re going? Are we going to see Katie? I’m supposed to teach her how to walk, or at least help her. I sure do miss her. I think of her as my main human.

They were able to stop by three of the six hospice facilities that day. None of them would give him any information about their employees. They said he could leave a note addressed to Dina asking her to call him and they would make sure she got it if indeed she worked there. He gave her both the ranch phone number and the number of the direct line to Dr. Philip’s office at the research hospital.

“I have little hope that she’ll call, Arf. If she had ever wanted to, she would have already tried to contact us. We have to leave for the hospital tomorrow, so we won’t have a chance to check with the other three facilities until we get back.

As they were leaving the third facility, Steve had an idea.

“I see you have one of your frisbees. Poor guy…you must feel neglected. Let’s see if this town has a little park and we’ll take a break before we drive home.”

***When I hear frisbee, I know that usually means someone is going to throw one to me. Lets go, lets go, lets go!

They had been at the park about an hour when Steve looked at his watch.

“We better take off, Arf. We’ve got a two hour drive home, and a long drive tomorrow.”

“Will you be going to the Research Hospital?”

Steve turned to see who was there, but he already knew.

“Hello Dina. They must have given you my note. How did you find us at the park?”

“I walk through this park every day on my way home.”

Steve could see the note in her hand. She was trembling…

“Can we sit down for a bit?” She asked. “I’ve had a long day, and I’m feeling kind of shaky.”

***I felt sorry for the lady. She looked like she was really sad. Say something, Steve. See how sad she looks? Wait! Steve looks sad, too. I have to remember not to lick their faces or their hands…don’t lick, don’t lick, don’t lick. Instead, I went to sit by the lady and she bent down to pet me. I hope Katie and I can show her how we train together.

“There’s a bench right under that tree,” Dina said. “We can sit there. Do you have the time?”

Steve wanted to say, time? You want to know if I have time? But he didn’t.

“Sure Dina, I have time. This is about our daughter, not us. She needs you, Dina. It’s a long story, but there is a good chance Katie can learn to walk if she has the right motivation. Her doctors and I feel she doesn’t think she deserves to get out of that wheelchair.”

“Walk? She might be able to walk? I don’t understand…and why would she think she doesn’t deserve to?”

“It’s entirely possible she believes you left us because you didn’t want to care for a little girl who would never walk.”

Dina didn’t look away. She looked directly into Steve’s eyes when she said, “I want to go with you tomorrow. That is if you’ll have me.”

Note to readers: I write these pretty quickly and don’t spend much time editing. I catch everything when I read it the next day. I will try to do better.

Jamie put the letters in a drawer of an old dresser near the spot where she found the framed picture and took the picture with her. She had already made a list of things she wanted to show Brad before moving them to the farm.

The farm…she still couldn’t believe that with Brad’s convincing, Miss Bessie had agreed to sell it to her.

Jamie’s thoughts went back to the letters Arf had found and the photograph in the beautiful frame. It occurred to her how little they had known about Brad before he had so graciously invited them all to come and live in this beautiful ranch house.

Miss Bessie was in the kitchen making cookies. Arf, hoping she would drop a sugary morsel, was sitting near her.

“I’m sure glad Alice doesn’t mind sharing her kitchen with me, Arf. I must be able to help out if I’m going to continue to live here.”

***If she thinks she’s going to get an argument from me, she’s barking up the wrong tree. Miss Bessie and Alice were both better cooks than Jamie, but then they had a lot more experience. These young pups think all they have to do is open up a can of dog food.

Steve walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. We had just gotten back from seeing Steve’s old house. He had been really quiet as we made our way back home. Humans are confusing.

“How was your ride, Steve?” Miss Bessie asked as she handed him a couple of fresh cookies to have with his coffee.

“The ride? Oh, yes…the ride. Arf and I found ourselves at the little house my wife, Dina, and I bought and fixed up before Katie was born. We met the new owners.”

Miss Bessie wiped her hands on her apron and sat down at the table across from Steve.

“That must have been quite a surprise for you,” she said.

“You have no idea.” Steve told Miss B about his meeting with Dina’s sister, Steph, and the letter she had given him.

“So in a day’s time, you discovered your wife left you and Katie because she thought she was going to die and didn’t want to burden you. You also discovered that six or seven years ago she went into remission, but knew there was a strong possibility the illness would return.”

“Then today, I discovered a woman had visited our old home earlier this week. It sounds like she must be about Dina’s age. If it was her, that means she is still alive.”

“Is there a way you can find her?” Bessie jumped up to get a pan of cookies from the oven. “Or do you want to?”

“I have to try, Miss Bessie…for Katie’s sake.”

“Have to try what? Brad asked as he walked into the kitchen and helped himself to a glass of milk and a cookie.

Steve proceeded to bring Brad up to date on all he had learned that day.

In the middle of the explanation, Jamie walked in. The framed picture was under her arm. She had decided to wait for the right time to ask about it, but she couldn’t wait for that.

“Look what I found in the attic,” she said as she laid the picture on the table. Isn’t this you, Brad and who are the other two kids with you?”

Brad held the frame and stared at it for a minute. “Where did you find this? In the attic?”

“Yes. Arf also found a packet of letters. I didn’t bring them with me.”

Jamie decided Brad didn’t hear her say anything about the letters. He was too engrossed in the picture.

“The dark haired girl on my left is my twin sister, Barbie. She died with my parents in the fire. We were sixteen when it happened. The other boy is my younger brother, Tom. He was twelve at the time. He escaped the fire and my Aunt and uncle took him to live with them.”

“Where is Tom now?” Miss Bessie asked.

“I don’t know.” Brad answered. “Please excuse me. I need to get some chores done before it gets too dark.”

“I’ll come with you.” Steve was right behind Brad. “Are you coming, Arf, or do you want to stay with the women”

***I was going to stay with Miss B and Jamie in case someone dropped a cookie, but when Steve put it like that, I decided I had better go with the guys. I sure hope I get to go be with Katie next week. This place is wearing me out.

“Miss Bessie, do you know where Grandma Helen is?”

“Yes, Jamie. I believe she took a book out to the garden.”

Jamie had read something in the letters Arf found in the attic and she was curious to know if Miss Helen recalled anything that might fill in some of the blanks.

“Grandma Helen….what a pretty day to enjoy the beauty of Alice’s garden. Do you mind if I join you for a few minutes?”

“Of course not, dear. Are you getting ready to move to the farm? We will miss you around here.”

“I hope we’ll all visit each other often. Helen, you and your husband owned or own the General Store in town, right?”

“I’ve pretty much turned the business over to Steph. It doesn’t make a huge profit, and since I’ve been living with Steve and Katie, my small savings is enough for me to get by on. Why do you ask?”

“I hope you won’t think ill of me when I tell you I read some letters Arf found in the attic. I would really like your advice concerning whether or not I should show them to Brad. If he doesn’t already know of their contents, I think maybe he would want to.”

“Well dear, I’m afraid I can’t give you my opinion if I don’t know what is in the letters.”

“You must be about the same age as Brad’s parents who died in the fire. I don’t suppose you knew his grandparents who lived in this house at one time.”

“We were acquainted only because they occasionally shopped at the store. Brad’s parents and their family didn’t live around here. I haven’t said anything around Brad, but of course everyone knew that their grandson was responsible for the tragic fire.”

“I’ll tell you this much, Helen. According to what I read, what you heard might not be true”

I woke up early Friday morning knowing what I had to do. 

I was released from isolation. I could go where I wanted to.

While I planned the day ahead, there is something I’ll confess.

I was free to go somewhere and it caused me some distress.

Maybe I should go shopping and buy myself some bigger clothes.

I haven’t felt hungry in weeks. I ate before hunger arose.

It was my intent to drop a few, but it was to no avail.

I tried so hard, I really thought that somehow I could never fail.

I tried eating cabbage soup…(for me cabbage has no appeal.)

It wasn’t bad with ham and cornbread. A little honey sealed the deal. 

I found a promising thirty day diet. I finished all the meals in ten.

I didn’t know what to do next, so I ate them twice again.

Then I tried drinking SlimFast. I had a can four times a day.

I drank it with my cabbage soup. I really couldn’t wait to weigh. 

This morning I stepped on the scales. It has never told me lies.

WHAT???

Now I’m back in isolation. Still craving a good burger and fries. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve needed some fresh air and time to think, so he saddled up one of the horses intending to go for a long ride. Arf ran along beside him.

***I decided to go with Steve because I was worried the letters I gave to Jamie would make her sad, and I couldn’t take anymore sad people. I’ll keep Steve company and later I’ll see if Miss Bessie and Grandma Helen will be happy to see me.

Not knowing where it would lead him, Steve began to follow a road. A few miles later, he knew exactly what his destination would be.

When they were first married, he and Dina purchased a little fixer upper on a very small piece of land. He hadn’t thought about that house in years. It was quite a coincidence that it was this close to Brad’s place. He hadn’t known Brad then.

Anyway, he and Dina had been very happy in that house…at least Steve thought they were. After Dina left, Steve sold the property and rented a house in town. That is where he, Katie, and Helen lived until Brad invited them to come and stay at his home.

Steve soon found himself dismounting from his horse. He was in front of the house he hadn’t seen in years. It looked just as it did the day he and Katie moved out.

“Hello sir. Can I help you?” A young man and a small child were coming from the backyard. “Beautiful horse and dog you have there.”

“Thank you,” Steve said. “I was on a horseback ride, you see, and somehow I wound up here. I used to own this place several years ago. A lifetime ago as a matter of fact. The people who bought it from me must have purchased it from you. You do live here, right?

***For some reason, Steve was acting nervous. Why would he be nervous? This guy seems pretty nice. I don’t see any dogs around, so he probably doesn’t have any bones. Maybe that little kid will pet me. I’ll act real nice so he won’t be afraid.

“Can I pet your dog?” The little boy asked Steve.

“Sure, if your dad doesn’t mind. Arf loves kids.”

“Why don’t you tie your horse up over there and come inside for some lemonade. You must be getting pretty thirsty. Sounds like you’ve had a long ride.”

The minute Steve walked inside, he regretted accepting the man’s invitation, but he couldn’t be rude to this nice man. Seeing everything again brought so many memories back. Most of them were of happy times, but it did him no good to remember them now.

“Here,” the man said as he handed Steve a glass of lemonade. “Please have a seat… You know, it’s strange. There was a nice young woman here earlier this week. She also said she used to live here. I don’t recall her name and she didn’t really tell me anything about herself. She simply said she had good memories of the years she lived here and she wanted to see the house again.”

***I wonder what’s the matter with Steve. He’s as white as my white frisbee was before it got dirty. I wish this little boy would quit pulling my hair. Hey Dad…tell your boy here to stop pulling my hair.

Jamie was still up in the attic. She was reading the letters in the packet Arf found and brought to her. She knew she probably shouldn’t be reading them at all, but after the first one, she couldn’t make herself stop. And the photograph…

************************

On the way back from his ride, Brad made a stop at a small graveyard that was on the property. He had come to visit one in particular. 

As he walked over, he picked a few pretty wildflowers. He smiled as he knelt down by the grave. “Hello Barbie,” he said. “I needed to be here with you, today. There is something I want to talk to you about. I hope you’ll agree it’s a good thing.

 

 

 

Steve took the envelope Steph had given him and tried to find a quiet place to read what he assumed was a letter from Dina. He finally settled on Alice’s flower garden

The garden was a thing of beauty. He found a little, out of the way, bench to sit on.

He turned the envelope over in his hands and looked at it. Did this envelope hold all the answers? Would it tell him why the woman who had been the love of his life, left him and their baby girl? A little thing they had been told had contracted polio and would never walk? What could this letter say that would possibly make a difference?

Steve took a deep breath and tore open the envelope. To his surprise, inside was what looked like some form of legal document. In addition to that, there was a small sealed envelope addressed to Steph. He didn’t know if he was supposed to read it, but he didn’t care. Steph had given it to him. He hoped as he read through it, everything would begin to make sense.

Dear Sis,

I’m so sorry to put this on you, but unfortunately, I feel I have to. I’ll get right to the point. Shortly before Katie was born, I discovered I had a rare blood disease. Unfortunately, it was only going to be a matter of months until I could only be kept alive through constant blood transfusions. As that was the only treatment, I knew I most likely didn’t have long to live. As you know, we had no insurance. Then Katie was diagnosed with polio. I just couldn’t burden Steve any more. I found a county run hospice in another city. I lied to get in, but nevertheless they took me. That was a year ago. The doctors think I’m in remission, but it could come back at any time.

I have stayed on to help others and I love what I do. I’m begging you not to tell Steve or even Mother. Katie must never know…Steph, I’m not coming back.

Before I left, I had an attorney prepare the enclosed document. It gives Steve full custody of Katie. Please Steph, give Steve the document, but do not give him this letter and don’t let Mother or Katie ever know you received anything from me. Believe me. This is for the best.

Love,

Dina

“This letter was written over six years ago,” Steve said to himself. “So much could have changed since then. I wonder why Steph didn’t give me the custody document before now.”

“This is so unfair, Dina. I don’t even know if you are still alive. How could you do this to all of us. How could you do this to Katie?”

“Do what?” Miss Bessie said. “My goodness Steve, you look so distraught. Can I be of any help?”

***I was following Miss Bessie and she was right. Steve looked like he forgot where he buried his best bone or where he left his new frisbee. It seems like humans just take turns being upset around here. I went over and licked his hand. That’s twice today I forgot I’m not supposed to lick. Steve patted my head, so I guess he didn’t mind. Hey…he was holding that letter the pretty girl gave him. I thought that made him happy. UhOh, I gave Jamie a whole bunch of letters. What if they didn’t make her happy. I think I’ll go hide.

“I”m sure I will want to talk with you, Miss Bessie,” Steve said. “But not right now. Right now I’ve got some thinking to do and decisions to make. I think I’ll go saddle up one of the horses and go for a ride.”

“You might see Brad. He left for a ride about thirty minutes ago,”

Sometimes, in South Dakota, spring comes late and after a long cold winter, we can hardly wait to ride our bikes down by the river. It’s cooler there so even with our jackets on we still shiver.

We see a boat we’ve never seen before. Some of the kids leave their bikes lying on the river’s shore. They jump into the tied up boat. They don’t start the motor, they just float out into the water until the rope is stretched tight. I don’t think what they’re doing is at all right!

They pretend to fish and catch a big one. He’s so big they use a net. He might be hooked but he’s not caught, yet. It looks like it might be a catfish. If it was me that’s what I would wish.

I’m getting cold let’s ride our bikes back home. If Mom has hot chocolate we can get some. My brother is too close to the water. What if he fell? If his bike rolls in, I’ll go home and tell.

(You complain more than anyone. We can’t leave now. We’re having too much fun.

I know where we went wrong. We brought my little sister along.)

I heard what my brother said. Maybe I’ll tell Mom that instead.

Shh… I hear someone coming. Now we’re in trouble. We better get out of here on the double.

**********************

On this warm and sunny day. I walked to the river and watched these kids play. I captured their adventure on the Missouri. I was getting chilly so I had to hurry.

This delightful scene was photographed by Nancy Authier while taking a walk along the river near Pierre, South Dakota. She thought it needed a story to go with it. Thank you Nancy. It  was fun…

Steve and Arf had stopped by the General Store on their way back from the research hospital in Jamestown. After talking with Steve, Sam and Katie’s doctors had decided to assign her to a counselor. Since Katie knew that her mother had left her father and her shortly after she learned her baby daughter would never be able to walk, they were concerned Katie had blamed herself. Was that the reason she and Arf had not made more progress since Katie’s surgery?

Steve felt compelled to find Katie’s mother, Dina, whose parents had owned the General Store. Dina’s father,had passed away several years before, and Helen, their mother had come to live with Steve and Katie.

Mrs. Garner, who had worked there for years, was at the store as was Steph, Dina’s younger sister.

“I can’t help resenting the fact that you’re here attempting to get information about Dina’s whereabouts,” Steph said. “You haven’t had anything to do with me since she left. My own mother keeps me at a distance. I’m Katie’s family, too but that isn’t important to you is it, Steve?”

“I was rather busy trying to raise my daughter, with the help of your mother, Helen, of course. I always got the feeling you blamed me for Dina’s leaving. I guess there was enough blame to go around.”

“What are you doing with Arf?” Mrs. Garner asked. “Doesn’t he belong to Miss Bessie?”

“Turns out Arf belongs to a lot of people.” Steve knelt down to pat Arf on the head. “He has trained to be Katie’s therapy dog. He’s doing a great job, but he needs our help. He needs to know why she isn’t doing her part.”

***I wish I could tell Steve that Katie pulled herself up and stood for a minute before easing herself back into her wheelchair. She doesn’t want anyone to know. I’m a dog so I can’t tell them, anyway, but why won’t Katie? She needs to talk. I wish this girl would be nicer to Steve. I wish she would give me a bone. Mrs. Garner always gives me a good bone when I come with Miss Bessie. Maybe you have to have eggs to get a bone. Do they sell frisbees here?

“You said you needed Dina to help Katie,” Steph said. “Is something wrong?”

“She had some surgery recently, and there is a good chance she will be able to walk again. She needs her mother to tell her she deserves to walk. She needs her mother to tell her she didn’t leave because she didn’t want to be saddled with a little girl who would never walk.”

***I don’t know for sure what Steve said, but the pretty girl got big tears in her eyes and so did Mrs. Garner. I hoped that meant they could help him.

“Wait here,” Steph said. “I’ll be right back.”

***While Steve and I waited, Mrs. Garner gave me one of those good bones. I was almost finished with it when the pretty girl came back, She was holding an envelope in her hands.

“I did blame you, Steve. I was so angry I couldn’t see the truth. I received this letter in the mail about a year after Dina left. She asked me not to share it with anyone, especially Katie. I guess she thought she was doing the right thing, but she was wrong, and so was I.”

“Do you mind if I take this with me?” Steve asked. “I have a feeling I will need to be sitting down when I read it. I promise I will return it to you.”

“I never want to see that letter again,” Steph answered. “Please take it with you.”

************************************

Jamie got up early the next morning and rushed to get her coffee before heading up to the attic to explore. Alice was there and insisted she have some breakfast first.

“I know you,” Alice said. “You’ll get distracted and won’t have breakfast or lunch.”

“Whose things are up there, Alice? I thought Brad lost his parents and sister in a fire when he was only sixteen. Didn’t he build this ranch up on his own?

“The house and a few acres were owned by Brad’s Grandparents at one time. I believe they leased it out before moving to a retirement community. When Brad came of age, he learned the house was empty and with a lot of perserverence, he was able to obtain ownership. I think he basically had to pay a lot of back taxes. Since then, He has gradually made a significant amount of improvements to the house, and built quite a sizeable and profitable horse ranch.”

“Miss Bessie says he has a younger brother somewhere.” Jamie commented.

“That’s what I heard,” Alice said. “Now let’s get you some breakfast so you can be on your way to the attic.”

***Steve was outside, and I could tell he wanted to be alone, so I went to the kitchen to see if Alice was going to feed me. Jamie was there! I was so happy to see her, I ran up to her and licked her face. I know I shouldn’t do that, but sometimes I forget.

“Arf,” she said. “It’s so good to see you. I have an idea…how would you like to explore the attic with me?”

***After we both ate breakfast, Jamie took me up some really steep stairs to a huge room that went on forever. It smelled old and I could see a bunch of cobwebbs. It was dusty and musty.

I found a ball and laid down on the floor while Jamie looked and looked and looked. After a while, I wanted to go outside, so I went to find her. While I was looking for her I saw a packet of letters. Since Steve had seemed pretty excited to get a letter, I decided Jamie might want me to bring these to her. Letters, letters, letters. When I gave them to Jamie, she looked through them and her eyes got really big. I’m just a dog, but I sure wish I knew why everyone likes letters so much.

“Where did you find these, Arf?

***Jamie was holding a picture frame.

I thought I would give reading Arf’s story a shot…

It was a quiet ride back to the research hospital. Jack was anticipating his talk with Katie’s physical therapist, Sam. Katie was anxious about learning she was able to stand with the help of Arf. It was the first time she had ever stood in her whole life. She didn’t know quite why she had mixed feelings about the fact that they had made some headway.

***I was quiet because I’m a dog, and I didn’t understand why Katie didn’t want to tell everyone that when she tried to catch a butterfly, she had fallen out of her chair. The exciting part was she had wrapped her arms around me and pulled herself up to a standing position before easing herself back down into her chair. She was as surprised as I was that all of our therapy had made her stronger.Now I have to figure out why she didn’t like being able to do that.

************************************Back at Brad’s ranch, he and Jamie were discussing Jamie’s purchase of Miss Bessie’s farm.”I can’t thank you enough, Brad, for talking to Miss Bessie for me. I was hoping she would see that the farm was just too much for her to handle, now. I also think it’s very kind of you to offer your home to her and all the others who have been staying here.”

“Quite the contrary,” Brad said. “I’m very grateful they want to make this big old ranch house their home. I hated it when the cook and housekeeper were the only other people rattling around here. Mark, the hired hand, prefers to live in the bunkhouse.”

“When are you planning to move to the farm, Jamie? If you need anything in the way of furniture, you’re welcome to look around in the attic for anything you might need or want. There is years worth of things up there.”

“Really, Brad? The house is furnished with Bessie’s things, but I would really like to make the place my own. I’ll start looking and moving tomorrow.”

Bessie had been about to take her dessert plate back to the kitchen when she thought she heard voices. She chastised herself for eavesdropping, but she couldn’t help herself. She felt like she had aged a hundred years since she had made the decision to sell the farm.

“I’m sorry, Harold,” she said. “I hope you’re not too disappointed in me. I know one thing. I’m going to find something productive to do. I never get to see my granddog and I can’t just sit on the porch and rock with Helen the rest of my life.

“And why not? I thought we were friends.” Helen sounded rather dismayed

**********************************

Steve and Arf were on their way back to the ranch.

“Well, Arf,” Steve said. “I guess you’ll be staying at the ranch for the next week. You won’t understand this, but Katie is going to have counseling this week, so she won’t be spending that much time in therapy. When I have a chance, I will tell you all about it, but right now, we have to make a stop at the General Store in town.”

***I didn’t quite get why I didn’t get to stay with Katie at the hospital, but I have a pretty good idea someone figured out that she was getting pretty strong. No…that can’t be it, because Steve would be acting happier. Oh well, I like mysteries. Uhoh…Miss B always says, “Be careful what you pray for.”

Steve and I went to the General Store where Miss B sell her eggs. Remember? Dogs can go in there.

“Hello Mrs. Garner. How are you today?”

“I’m right as rain, Steve. What can I do for you?”

***I’m just a dog, but Mrs. Garner didn’t look too happy to see us. Maybe she doesn’t like dogs.

“I’m hoping Steph is here. I really need to talk to her.”

Just then, a pretty girl came from the back of the store. I remembered her. She came to the farm once when Steve was there. I remember how surprised she looked to see him.

“After all these years, why would you want to talk to me, Steve.” Steph was glaring, I mean glaring at Steve.

“I need to find Dina. I need her to help Katie.”

“Why would you think I would know where Dina is?”

Steve looked as desperate as he felt.

“Because she’s your sister.”

She sashayed through the door. She knew all eyes would be on her. The red satin dress she wore looked stunning with her fur.

Her black hair fell softly from a comb adorned with jewels. She fancied that her fate would be decided by men’s duels.

Her blue eyes sparkled as she turned to face the crowd. She knew not to speak yet. The cheers were far too loud.

She assumed all who came to see her were among the most elite. And like countless times before, they all rose to their feet.

She knew just what to do next. It would drive them all wild. She closed her long-lashed eyes and then ever slowly smiled.

With a white gloved hand she reached to take the microphone. It was then she realized that she was all alone.

Her memories, so vivid, had pushed today aside. But like all dreams that end well, a fitting future was implied.

Did her memories speak the truth? She told her story well. The proof was in her soft sweet voice as she sang, It is Well.

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