A smell of rain filled the air, as acacia trees swayed to the breeze with the weight of their blooms. A stray leaf danced to the tune of time, tripping with a rustle on a bare pavement. Ducks on the pond dipped into shimmering water, reflecting the hues of morning. Crows cawed high in a pine tree, the breeze sounding through its branches like a soft roar.
Time was one thing James didn't have, or hardly felt anymore, as he sometimes experienced a wrenching pain in his abdomen gripping his soul, his inner being trying to gain control. The malfunction of his body persisted, with the little time James thought he had left. As he gazed nonchalantly over to the pond, he reached down slightly with one hand placed over the troublesome area, giving a slight groan as ducks played on the pond, splashing with their beaks. He struggled with the occasional sharp pain, the dull monotony, week after week & almost looked forward to when it would put an end to his days.
His mind ambled back to when his sweet Emma was constantly at his side, sharing life's path & fulfillment of their enriched time together; their love & tenderness always at the forefront bonding them. Many happy years had been spent throughout their younger life, frolicking in the bubbling surf on a hot day, until exhaustion forced them to lull about in the warm sunshine. The fine sand soft, white under their bare toes as they dug them into the depths, burying them under the fine grains. The passage of time saw their relationship blossom, growing into later years of blissful contentment, sharing many aspects of what life threw at them & meeting it head on with happiness & trust. But sadly Emma had left him. Alone with his thoughts he ploughed on without her, trying to come to terms with life venturing into old age, the antipathy of his existence.
James wandered past the ducks & through the tall eucalypt trees on the edge of the park he often enjoyed, watching the changing seasons each time he ventured out. He loved autumn mostly, when mists would creep across the stillness of the pond swirling gently, the ducks swimming through it's soft whisper of moist haze. He watched rainclouds on the nearby mountain enshrouding its summit, ghostlike, often dark blue & moody.
Some of the few intermittent deciduous trees in the park & beyond, had held rich autumnal colours of rustic reds & burnt orange. The leaves turning from yellow to red before falling to the ground forming a carpet of rain-splashed beauty. Then winter was upon him once more & the cold loneliness he felt without Emma was often intolerable.
The pain this morning was no more intense than other days as James left the duck pond continuing on the path strewn with bark & twigs, leaves that had been torn from the eucalypts in a frenzy of strong winds during the previous night. Rain had arrived in the early morning before diminishing, leaving the leaves glistening with dappled sunshine glowing through the branches, shadows still long in the late winter. James walked through the remainder of the park & entered a sweeping roadside. Trees lined the street either side with thick bark of Melaleuca coating their trunks, tight red flowers adorning the branches in early bud, when later they would swell & burst forth into bottlebrush formations in spring.
The morning was advancing as James arrived back at his home, a neat three bedroomed brick house set back off a quiet winding crescent. The garden sprawled to the fenceless front, grass was green from winter rains, small flower beds overwintering with several small shrubs spilling over the edges. James enjoyed pottering in the garden, but without Emma, it had lost its charm. Emma had kept the garden for many years, always looking fresh & overflowing with beauty.
He walked through the front door, instantly feeling the emptiness, the house quiet even with the radio softly playing music from the kitchen. Several years had been spent on his own, but the loss he felt now was no less painful than the day his dear Emma had died. Her illness had shocked James as he struggled to cope with the day to day chores while looking after her. Now the house lacked their love, never to return as James coped with looking after himself now. His own problem had manifested itself not long ago, the pain he managed to bear. The doctor had told him of its severity & his time would be brought to an abrupt end some day.
Two days later an old friend appeared at his door. James ushered him in & after pleasantries had been exchanged, the state of the weather briefly discussed, John related a story to James. A relative had left the country for good, their black Labrador dog being deposited with him & his wife. The animal originally named Clementine, but soon shortened to Charlie. John & his wife had a small home & even smaller garden, unable to accommodate a dog such as Charlie. Would there be any chance of James taken her on for good. James took no time to consider the offer, briefly outlining his apparent illness & the fact that he wasn't sure how long he had left. John immediately understood James's situation, sorry that he had a serious problem, but Charlie was desperate for a good home. After brief consideration, James thought he may be able to manage & agreed to accept Charlie indefinitely, but with a view to returning her if the going got too tough. John was pleased, beaming with pleasure that at last the problem of Charlie was solved. Well for now at least. It was arranged that Charlie would arrive tomorrow if James was in agreement.
Saturday dawned cool but bright, the sun giving the nearby mountain a soft blue glow as clouds lingered low near its base. Shadows were long as the fruit tree in James's back garden was adorned with white blossom. He gazed out of the long patio door at the small garden & wondered if it would be big enough for a dog. He felt somewhat apprehensive but happy with the thought of Charlie's arrival soon, hoping the new friendship would be mutual.
Charlie arrived an hour after breakfast & padded slowly, hesitantly toward James as if she may not be welcome. James put his hand out for Charlie to sniff, murmuring soft words to the black coated dog. Her large brown eyes looked up at him, immediately James smiled in return, patted Charlie & was smitten for all time. The dog wagged her tail & nuzzled James's leg, looking up at him with adoration. They appeared instant friends, soon to be inseparable.
John felt easy with the obvious bonding, leaving all the dog's paraphernalia with James & departed leaving the two to get to know each other.
'Well now lass, what shall we do first eh?' said James still patting his new acquisition. 'How about if I show you around the garden, then after lunch we could venture out & familiarize you with the local area. Would you like that?' Charlie whimpered & looked up at him wagging her tail, for she seemed to understand what was being said. 'Right then, that's settled. Now where would you like to sleep? Perhaps the laundry would be big enough. Can't leave you outside can we? Specially when it's cold. But I see you have a jacket for those days. Good!' James smiled inwardly, happier than he'd been for some time.
Charlie sat & waited until James invited her to join him in the garden & without a second thought, bounded forward to where she nuzzled his leg. James bent & patted her again. Together they chatted for a while sitting on the patio under shelter, then walked around the garden front & back without the dog leaving James's side for a moment.
Time passed & the new friends were inseparable. Charlie was obedient, with a kind & loving nature, proving a close companion for James. They ventured out together & over the months James's condition grew no worse, but tolerable as they helped each other adjust to a new life.
A few years went by & James found he was still able to look after Charlie. They had formed a mutual bond, a companionship from which each had benefited. Charlie never did leave him or was ever returned.
No comments:
Post a Comment