by Ruth Hay
The day of departure drew near very quickly. Andy was busy with Fall gardening chores and extra practices with the dogs. Vilma made sure her car was in peak condition and set aside everything the dogs would need for their comfort both on the trip, and in the hotel.
She was determined to find a way to fund the expenses and she began to manage this after Andy revealed where he had made a hotel reservation. She researched the Long Sault Motel online and discovered it rated only two stars and cost $65 per night. The location was certainly handy for the dog show but she quickly found a Best Western Inn, two minutes from downtown Cornwall with luxury suites, good pub food, fridge in the room and, best of all, it was dog friendly, supplying doggie cookies and treats. She made reservations for two expensive, large suites that were still vacant and paid up front. She knew she might have to insist the first hotel was not suitable for her and the dogs and make a play of finding another for them.
She would make sure the blame for the change of plan was all hers, and, therefore, she must compensate Andy for his out-of-pocket expenses. This move would put her safely in the driver’s seat regarding what was to be spent for their comfort in the second hotel.
With these two issues settled in her mind she began to assemble her clothes and necessities. She was committed to this expedition and she would do her best to get through it without too much stress. After all, it was to be her last serious connection with Andy Patterson. She would be as pleasant as possible. After they returned to London she intended to draw a halt to the dog training.
They set off early on the Friday morning to avoid heavy traffic on the 401. Vilma was driving, with Andy monitoring the road conditions and looking for alternative routes using Vilma’s smartphone.
Driving through Toronto was always stressful but they took the fast route and paid the toll. Once outside the city they were closer to Lake Ontario and farmland. Here, Andy took over the driving and soon became accustomed to handling the large car with its automatic transmission.
Conversation had been limited to this point. In the rear seats, Faith had fallen asleep with two heavy, warm paws in her lap. She did not wake until they drew into a Service Centre and Vilma released the dogs to run around in an area set aside for that purpose. Andy and Faith went into the restaurant and scoped out the offerings, returning with hot food in containers. Vilma had water and chews for the dogs and they sat down at an outdoor picnic table away from the car parking and enjoyed what there was of November sunshine with coat collars turned up against the wind, and hands wrapped around hot drinks. Andy finished eating and went off with Astrid and Oscar for some obedience training.
“How are you managing in the back seat, Faith? It’s not too cramped for you?”
“It’s fine! The dogs are like big furry blankets. Other than licking my hands a lot they have let me sleep. Oh, I washed my hands in the washroom inside, in case you are worried.”
Vilma chuckled. She also washed frequently when the dogs were being affectionate.
“Well, it won’t be much longer now. The worst is over. Next big stop is in Kingston. How do you feel about that part? I promise you need not stay if you don’t feel comfortable with the Jeffries’ family.”
“I’ll be okay. I feel like I know them now. Melvin’s mother is the boss and she has been very nice on the phone. She’s giving me a room of my own for the weekend.”
“That sounds good. You can call me if you have any concerns at all. We’ll be staying overnight at a motel and I’ll be doing nothing most of the time at the Dog Show. I can come and fetch you if you want.”
“I’m pretty sure that won’t be necessary but thanks for the thought. It will be different for me with three young boys in the house. Likely their mom will need help with them.”
“You should also spend time with Mason Jeffries. I am sure you two have a lot of catching up to do.”
Faith had thought about this part and decided to whitewash much of her childhood with Felicity. It would do no good to make Mr. Jeffries feel worse about abandoning them than he did already.
She realized now that he was not in love, or even in like, with her Mom. It was a business arrangement, made out of necessity and not a lifetime commitment. In many ways Mason was lucky to have escaped when he did. Jolene told her this was a very mature attitude to have. Faith meant to maintain it as much as possible. It was only two days.
Despite her optimism, Faith grew nervous when they arrived in Kingston, took a quick tour around the town by the lake and drove right out again to a subdivision some distance away.
Using her phone, Faith had called ahead to warn them she was near and they found the entire family waiting on the doorstep for her arrival.
The youngest boy was in his mother’s arms. The next one up was holding onto his dad’s hand and Melvin was standing tall on his own as if the whole deal was his idea; which it certainly was.
Vilma got out of the car and introduced herself to the parents. She explained that Andy would take the dogs for a short walk while she saw Faith settled, and then they must leave for their motel downtown.
Pauline invited her inside for a minute while Melvin helped Faith with her bag. Mason rustled up the kids and followed his wife to allow Andy to get the dogs out of the car. The younger boys want to pet the dogs when they saw them looking out of the window but Mason knew they were working dogs and not to be messed with. Maybe later, after the Dog Show event when everybody is more relaxed.
Vilma did a quick assessment of the modest house and praised Pauline for her lovely home, knowing the unspoken comment that it was wonderful how she coped with all these kids, was fully understood.
The two women had an immediate connection and Vilma was content to leave Faith in Pauline’s more-than-capable hands.
Faith hung back until Vilma took her leave. She and Melvin had started to talk as soon as they opened up the trunk of the car. He was just as verbal as she expected and she was not surprised when his mother told him to show their guest to her room and where everything, meaning the washroom, was located.
It was a tiny room with a single bed but all was spotlessly clean and tidy.
“It’s my room, usually, but it’s yours now. I will be next door with Jason if you need me. Dad says come downstairs when you’re ready. I’ve to leave you here for now. I’ll be waiting for you. Bye Faith!”
She thought he looked and sounded like a nice little old man you might see in the park feeding the birds.
Could he really be just eight years old?
As for Mason Jar? She still called him this inside her head and it made this older man with the family responsibilities that had freaked him out some twelve years ago, more approachable. She honestly could see nothing in his appearance that was familiar. Could be, some turn of speech or physical habit might remind her but it was possible the old Jar was gone. She considered that was a good thing. She would start over with this man and see where, if anywhere, it could lead. In any case, a couple of days with Melvin were enough to keep her amused and she suspected Pauline was a pretty special mother worth watching.
She opened the bedroom door and found Melvin lounging, in what he assumed was a casual fashion, against the wall.
“So, come on down for supper. Ignore the little kids. Their eating habits are disgusting. After, we can go to my basement studio where all the neat stuff is. Dad will help show you my experiments. He’s a scientist, you know.”
Aha! A science nut! That makes sense. His room is full of models and posters. This is going to be a fast intro to the dad and little brother I never had.
Vilma’s decision to take over the accommodations for the Dog Show was proved right when she saw the motel Andy had chosen for their overnight in Kingston. It was a small place near an exit from the highway and close to a fast-food burger outlet. It was poorly furnished but her room had two single beds and at least the dogs would be sleeping up off the floor. Once glance at the condition of the carpet made her determined not to put a bare foot on
it, no matter what.
Andy went off to get them some food while she unpacked the dogs’ home comforts from the trunk of her car and was grateful they had their usual excellent dry food to eat. She inspected the washroom and estimated she could wash hands and face at the sink and clean her teeth but that would have to do until she reached the superior suite at the Best Western Hotel.
The dogs were restless after so many hours cooped up in the car and Andy was in a hurry to take them to a big field behind the motel and away from the road traffic zooming by on the highway.
Vilma thanked him politely for the milkshake and burger with fries, and disposed of most of it in the washroom bin as soon as he was out of sight. She turned back the cover over the bed and sat on the sheets and watched television for a few minutes until Andy returned with the dogs.
“I think we should get an early start,” he said. “Once we are settled in the motel near Long Sault I must give the dogs a thorough run through of their training points so they will be ready for the obedience competition on Saturday afternoon.”
Vilma had not planned to spring the change of accommodation on him this soon, but she thought it better to get that part over with so he would be in a calm frame of mind for the competition.
“Andy, I have to confess I am not happy with staying in motels like this. I have made reservations in a far superior place near Cornwall with luxury suites and dog friendly facilities. I hope you will not be angry about this. It’s only fair if I pay my way. You are doing all of this for my dogs. You, and they, should be comfortable and well rested.”
She watched his reaction with some trepidation. He took in a breath and bit his inner cheeks. He was clearly grappling with the circumstances that made it evident he was not able to supply what she was used to. It was a matter of pride. But he could not afford pride.
“I see. Well, an even earlier start is required. I need to stop at the Long Sault motel and cancel the rooms before heading into Cornwall. Be ready at six o’clock.”
He was gone. The dogs crowded near her, knowing there was tension in the room. She stroked them with reassuring words and breathed a deep sigh. The worst was over now. When the competition ended on Sunday night she would pack up, check on the car and look forward to heading home. Faith had already kept the personal conversation to a minimum in the car. When the return journey was over, this connection to Andy Patterson would also be over. Forever.
Chapter 22
The big conference hotel was exactly as Vilma had hoped. There was a large and luxurious double bed, a fireplace with a dog-sized soft rug in front, ample space in a well-appointed ensuite washroom and also a superb restaurant, as well as bar food on demand.
Andy did not comment about his matching suite. He took the dogs and the car and went off to the convention centre where the Agility and Obedience trials were being held. Several hours had been set aside for participants to exercise their dogs in the arena before the formal competition began.
Vilma enjoyed a long, hot bath and ordered room service. By the afternoon she was restored and revived and ready for whatever a dog show involved.
As soon as they reached the location it was obvious how popular this event was. Parked cars and vans stretched around the convention area and Vilma could see no spaces. Andy had acquired a competitor’s parking badge in the morning and this permitted them to move close to the building.
It was all a new experience for Vilma but Andy was right at home and took over immediately.
“You should find a seat up high enough so you can see the entire arena floor. Collect some snacks inside. This will be a long session. Sit on your coat. This is usually a hockey centre and the benches are pretty hard.”
She gave Astrid and Oscar a big hug and watched Andy lead them off to the competitors’ entrance.
She had her phone with her and if things got boring she planned to watch a movie on Netflix using earbuds.
This plan dissipated as soon as she entered the building. The foyer was full of tables and displays related to everything canine. Cages of dogs were set around the floor and owners seemed to be spending time on brushing and grooming their animals to a high degree.
Vilma passed on through as quickly as possible only to find the actual competition area was even busier. The noise level was incredible. Barking dogs everywhere, a loud-speaker system tuning up for later announcements and an arena floor divided up into sections so the competitors and their dogs could walk through a series of typical contest challenges.
There were dogs of every shape and size, not to mention the number of dog handlers who either matched or contrasted with their pets. It was all new and extremely interesting to see. The level of excitement grew perceptibly, and the audience chattered about their favoured dogs and their hopes for success until the arena was ordered to be cleared of all competitors and the sand swept for the first group in the obedience section.
The announcer now took over and spoke only when some explanation was required. The obedience trials began with smaller dogs so Vilma could see what was expected. The judges stood in the centre with clipboards in hand and watched intently. Handlers were expected to demonstrate control by hand signals. The dog must stop on command, run, turn, sit, bark and do all this while another dog had started to perform. There was always something to watch and Vilma noticed the audience sighed in satisfaction when some particularly cute and clever animal performed a special trick. No applause was allowed and no judging announcements until the entire section had been completed.
Vilma began to get excited to see her dogs arrive, but she had to wait until mid-sized dogs were announced. As Andy entered with Oscar, it occurred to her to wonder where Astrid was waiting. Then she saw how well trained her dogs were. Only Oscar was entered in this part of the competition. Astrid was instructed to sit and stay to the side while Andy walked the route. She did this perfectly, and Vilma felt a surge of pride. Oscar did everything as required and finished with a nice flourish, rising onto his back legs and bowing his head to the audience. This received a well-deserved sigh of appreciation.
She sat through the large dog trials and found them less interesting. The dogs were slower and more awkward, she thought. She preferred the sparky personalities and swift movements of her Australians.
* * *
Hours had gone by. The line of dogs and handlers seemed endless. Vilma glanced at her phone and saw it was late in the evening. No one had left the seats. When the announcer asked for the floor to be cleared for the judges’ decisions, a hush fell.
The judges were now seated beside the microphone. Vilma gathered up her coat and purse ready to exit. She badly needed a hot meal and a drink but there was no way to leave until the last words had been spoken. She estimated the crowd would not be pleased at any interruption at this stage in the proceedings.
Dogs and their handlers were summoned to receive certificates of excellence but Vilma could not perceive the difference between one or another of the competing dogs. The finer points escaped her.
She was not really listening until she heard ‘Andrew Patterson and Oscar’.
My Oscar won something! Really?
She sat up straight to get a better view and saw Andy go forward to the judges to accept the certificate.
She wanted to turn around to the people seated behind her and say, “That’s my dog!” but as no one else was making such comments, she suppressed the idea.
The announcements continued until all the winners were asked to make a circuit of the arena floor for applause. She waited and held her excitement until Andy and Oscar entered and then she stood and cheered and did not care if anyone disapproved.
The exodus from the arena took an age but at last she reached the car and found Andy and two dogs waiting.
“That was just so exciting! I was amazed to see Oscar perform and Astrid was such a good girl to wait at the side. When does she get a turn Andy?”
“Astrid is the star performer tomorrow at the Agility trials alt
hough Oscar will get his chance also.
Let’s get out of here and back to the hotel. The dogs need some free play now. I must say, Vilma, the hotel you chose is very comfortable and the facilities for dogs are excellent.
Do you want to meet for a meal in an hour or so? We can discuss the day’s activities.”
She was happy to do this. After a quiet hour by the fire with a pot of tea she would be ready for anything and by then the dogs would be sleeping soundly.
* * *
She did not expect to find Andy wearing a more relaxed version of the outfit in which he appeared at the Thanksgiving meal in Harmony House. Since leaving London he had been in his usual jeans and sweater. She was surprised, but glad she had also changed into a simple knit top and skirt.
Andy chose the restaurant rather than the bar, and they had a nice table near a window from where they could see people arriving all the time.
“This is a popular place to stay,” she offered, as a conversation starter.
“I recognize some of the participants from this afternoon. The hotel is full of dog fans.”
“I had no idea this kind of thing was so popular. It was quite a display today and I must congratulate you, Andy, on the job you did with Oscar. Was that little bow he performed a winning stroke?”
They were safely into the realm of dog talk and Andy had no trouble pointing out the finer details of a good performance. He removed and unrolled the certificate from his jacket pocket and showed it to her.
“Very handsome! This will look good in your barn when you open your training facility. That’s still the plan, I presume?”
He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
“It all depends on tomorrow’s results. I need a big win to get accreditation and find clients willing to trust their animals to me. Publicity counts in this business.”