Tears of happiness flowed down Andrew’s cheeks and he simply nodded. “Yes, sir…thank you, sir. I won’t let you down, and…I won’t let them down.” He wiped the tears away and a glint of confusion was evident in the scrunching of his brows. “But what about all of my own pets that I loved and cared for, Mr. Martin? I haven’t seen any of them yet. I remember them all…Brownie was my first one…she was just a mutt; and there was Sophie, Ellie, and Rags, and…well, there were a bunch of them…what about them?” He looked around the back yard that was filled mostly with various sizes of pit-bull mixes.
Martin motioned him back toward the beautiful mansion behind them. “Come inside, Andrew.”
Andrew followed Martin onto the expansive brick veranda and stepped inside the large downstairs area. There were windows throughout the mansion, but there was no glass inside those windows, nor were there any screens on the windows. Those items were not needed in Heaven, where the temperature and weather was always perfect. There was no need for drapes and blinds. The climate was ethereal and there were no machines or engines required to maintain the temperatures.
Andrew looked around the empty room before looking at his mentor again. “I don’t understand, Mr. Martin, sir…what is it I am supposed to see inside?” He turned when he heard a clacking noise behind him. It sounded as though it came from the massive staircase that led to the large living quarters upstairs. The sound grew louder and louder until the first large, shaggy mutt came barreling down the stairs, rounded the corner, and flew hard enough into Andrew to knock him down.
Andrew sat on the marbled floor and the tears began to flow again. “Brownie! Girl…is that really you?” Brownie had been his very first pet, and Andrew was only 10 years old when Brownie died from being poisoned by the white man his father worked for at the time. Brownie planted her two large paws on Andrew’s shoulders and licked his face profusely until a dozen other former pets came barreling down the same staircase to take their turns in his lap. “Oh, sweet, Jesus!” Andrew laughed. “It just can’t get any better than this…”
Martin closed his eyes and clasped his hands in front of him. “Oh, yes it can my dear friend…yes, it can…”
“And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19:26-27 (NKJV)
9. Amanda’s Vacation Begins
Amanda turned off the interstate and sighed deeply. She looked over at the passenger seat where Buster stood on his short hind legs and licked the window. His tail wagged in time to the windshield wipers that swooshed away the light mist that Amanda had driven in for the past four hours. “It won’t be long now, Buster…we’re almost there.”
Buster turned his head at the sound of his master’s sweet voice. “Okie dokie…that would be great, ‘cause I gotta go pee pee on the grass!” A grin spread across his face and he bounded onto Amanda’s lap.
Amanda laughed out loud and rubbed his head. “I know that look, and don’t you worry, little fella…just a few more minutes, and then you can go pee pee on the grass. Is that what you want? Is it?”
Buster ran back to the passenger seat and leaned forward on his front paws, his back end lifted high in the air. His tail continued to wag and he began barking profusely.
Amanda reached into her sweater pocket and tossed him a treat. He loved the pepperoni sticks made especially for dogs, but she was careful to limit him to just one per day.
Buster caught the treat in mid-air and jumped down onto his blanket that Amanda had placed on the front passenger floorboard. She knew that she should have put him in his crate for the long ride, but he had already learned not to jump around inside the car when it was moving, so she had opted to allow him the freedom of the front seat.
Once she had pulled off the interstate, traffic had slowed considerably, even at lunch time on a Monday. She saw the familiar curve up ahead, surrounded by tall oaks on both sides of the road. Amanda sighed softly and whispered, “I’m home…”
She slowed at the curve and immediately saw the huge, golden halo up ahead. She was surprised to see the parking lot almost empty. She glanced at her watch and nodded. “Well, that explains it…looks like we’re just ahead of the lunch crowd. That’s great, Buster. That will give you a chance to meet my angels. You’re gonna love them, fella…and they’re gonna love you. I’m not exactly sure why my parents told me to get here as soon as possible, but you can bet there will be an adventure waiting for us. How about it fella? Are you ready for an adventure?”
Buster looked up at her from his spot on the floorboard and moved his head from side to side. “Hey, I’m not sure what an adventure is, but as long as I get to stay with you, I’m game. Sure hope I get to pee pee on the grass soon, though…”
_____
Doug positioned himself behind the counter and smiled at Tyler. “I’m not sure if you can hold anything else, but let me know if I can get you something else to eat or drink.”
Tyler looked down at his flat stomach and marveled that it didn’t show how full he really was. He shook his head. “No more food, please…but, I will take another cup of coffee. I need to call my father and let him know when to meet me.”
“Go ahead and make your call,” Doug said. He glanced out the window and saw the familiar black Trooper pull in and park beside Tyler’s pick-up. “I’ll get you that coffee in just a second.”
Bertie strolled out of the kitchen and slapped Doug on the shoulder as he came from around the counter. “I’ll get the coffee, handsome.” She followed Doug’s gaze to the parking lot. “Oh! To hell with the coffee!” Bertie pushed Doug out of the way and practically ran to the front door. She threw it open and bounded outside to the parking lot.
Amanda had not even had time to turn off the car’s ignition when she felt her door being pulled open. “Bertie!” she managed to gasp before being pulled into a bear-hug.
Buster growled when the stranger pulled his master out of the car and wrapped her arms around her. “Hey! You better not hurt her!” He barked and growled some more until he saw his master wrapping her arms around the stranger.
Once outside the vehicle, the two women began bouncing and twirling, all the while never releasing their hold on one another. Bertie was the first to release her embrace but still held Amanda at arm’s length. “Let me look at you, princess…oh, you look wonderful! It’s so good to see you again!”
“It’s only been a few months, but it’s really good to see you again, too, Bertie.” Amanda hugged the angel…her angel…again and immediately felt that sense of calm and serenity that always came over her whenever she touched one of them. “I didn’t really know that I was coming, you know, until this morning.”
Bertie laughed out loud. “Let me guess…another dream from your parents?”
Amanda nodded. “Yep, they didn’t really give me much to go on though, but I was able to add a few extra days to the ten days off I had coming to me, so I’m all yours for the next couple of weeks.” She glanced past Bertie and nodded toward the apartment on the left side of the building. It was where the angels had given her refuge when she first met them a little over two years ago. “I…uh…I don’t suppose my old apartment is vacant, is it?”
“What do you think?” Bertie laughed as she thumped Amanda against the shoulder. “Of course, it’s vacant. This visit may have caught me…and Doug…off guard, but you can be sure that our favorite Gladiator knew about it. Besides…hasn’t been anyone in that apartment since you left it. It’s clean, though…I always make sure of that.”
Buster growled and barked again. “Hey! Did you forget that I need to go pee pee on the grass?”
Bertie laughed again and squatted down to look the puppy in the eye. “Well, why didn’t you just say so, little man? Come on…let’s take you around back.” Bertie hugged the dog to her when he practically jumped into her open arms.
Amanda raised her eyebrows and shook her head as she closed the ca
r door and followed them. “Why am I not surprised that the two of you understand each other? His name is Buster, by the way…”
Bertie looked back at Amanda and grinned. “Like I didn’t already know that, huh? By the way, princess…you are in for one hell of a surprise…so, don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
_____
Max was alone in the kitchen with Sam and Spartacus. He wasn’t entirely sure why Sam had been sent to them, but he had a pretty good idea; just as he, also, knew that Amanda’s arrival would somehow contribute to whatever lay in store for all of them. He bent down to stroke Spartacus and ran his large hands over wounds that had miraculously closed up during the past two days. “Sugar…who would’ve thought…” he mused.
Sam came over to him and looked him in the eyes. “Spartacus will leave with Tyler today, but don’t worry…you will see him again very soon.”
“So…” Max smiled. “He will play a part in all of this, will he?”
Spartacus licked Max’s hand. “I just need a few more days to completely heal and then, yes…I will be back. I have to…I have to be there at the end of it all…”
A single tear fell from Max’s eye. “I know…I know…” He continued to rub Spartacus’ neck. “You remind me so much of one of the dogs who used to fight beside me…not in looks so much, but in spirit. He was a brown, Neapolitan Mastiff…we called him Brutus. He was a survivor, too…like you, my friend. He was one of the lucky ones…the Emperor allowed him to retire from fighting rather than to feed him to the lions. He saved my life on more than one occasion, for sure…”
Sam laid his head against Max’s shoulder. “I’ve met Brutus and he does have some good stories to tell. They considered sending him down for this assignment but thought he might draw a little too much attention, if you know what I mean.”
Max grinned and nodded. “I do, indeed, know what you mean, Sam. Brutus was a true warrior and I am sure that Mr. Little John Abbott would love to get his hands on a fighting machine like that. No…you were the right selection for this assignment, my friend. Are you ready to see Amanda again?”
Sam stood proud and erect. “It’s been six years since I had to leave her and I know she has grieved and suffered a lot in that time. I was glad to hear that she finally opened her heart up to another pet.” Sam turned to look at the back door. “They’re here!”
Max pushed against Sam’s strong chest. “Quiet, boy…she’s not expecting to see you.” Max stood up and looked out of the small window beside the back door. “Yes, there she is with Bertie, and…well…I guess that would be your replacement, Sam…he’s just a little thing…”
Sam moved beside Max and stood up on his hind legs. He watched the pup running around in circles before it finally hiked his short leg to pee against the group of small palmetto palms. He allowed his gaze to drift to Bertie and, finally, to the young woman who stood beside her, laughing at the pup’s hyper antics. Sam looked deep into Max’s eyes; no words were needed.
Max nodded and opened the back door. “Okay, fella…now is as good a time as any, I guess…”
_____
It took all of the angelic willpower Doug had to contain himself. He had watched while Bertie and Amanda embraced before walking around to the back of the café. He really wanted to be there for the reunion between Amanda and Sam, but he knew that one of the angels had to remain with the humans that were still dining. He might not be able to watch their reunion, but he could at least tune in to hear it!
Tyler hung up his cell phone and looked over his shoulder at Doug, who was looking out the window to the parking lot. He got off the stool and made his way over to where Doug stood. “I spoke with my Dad and told him I would be bringing Spartacus to him in a couple of hours. Spartacus will be in good hands…”
Doug turned at the sound of the young man’s voice and nodded. “Yes…I know he will be. If your father is anything like you, then I have no doubt that Spartacus will be fine.” He was talking to Tyler but he was eagerly listening to the reunion that was now taking place in the café’s back yard.
_____
Bertie and Amanda had their backs to the door and were watching the playful puppy as he ran excitedly around the yard. “It was a long ride for him,” Amanda laughed. “I think he really needed to stretch his legs.”
“What legs?” Bertie bellowed. “That mutt has the shortest legs I’ve ever seen on a dog!”
“He’s just a puppy, Bertie,” Amanda grinned. “His legs are supposed to be short. Don’t worry, they’ll grow…won’t they, Buster?”
Buster ran and jumped up into Amanda’s open arms. He gave her some of his best puppy-dog kisses and looked sideways at Bertie. “You’re kinda short, too, you know…”
Bertie laughed and muffled his face between her open palms. “Yes, I am…yes, I am…but we all know that good things come in small packages, now, don’t we?”
Amanda felt Buster tense up in her arms, and felt a small growl growing deep in his belly. “Hey there, little fella…whatsamatter…hmmm?” It wasn’t cold outside on this second Monday in October but Amanda felt a shiver travel up and down her spine, nonetheless. She sensed a slight movement behind her and began to turn slowly, all the while, holding Buster tightly against her chest.
“You’re kinda squishing my nose…I can’t breathe too good like this…” Buster tried to move his nose from beneath Amanda’s arm pit. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the largest, scariest black dog he had ever seen, moving slowly toward them. He growled again. “I’ll protect you, ‘Manda…don’t you worry none…”
Amanda completed her turn-around, and stared into the eyes of the only other pet she had ever owned and loved. Her father had brought Sam home to her a few days after Amanda’s mother had been killed in a car accident. Amanda had only been seven years old at the time, and Sam had been the best medicine for the emptiness and heartache she had felt when she learned that her mother would never come home again. The two of them had been inseparable for the ten years they had been together. “Oh…my…God…” she cried, and released Buster at the same time.
“Whoaaaaa!” Buster yelped as he felt himself freefalling briefly.
Bertie was quick to catch him. “Don’t worry, little fella…I’ve gotcha!” She held him close to her and kissed the top of his head while she watched Amanda move in slow motion toward the massive black pit-bull/lab that was moving just as slowly toward them.
They were within two feet of each other when Amanda dropped to her knees. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks but she was momentarily speechless. She pressed her fingertips against her tightly closed mouth as the dog…her dog…continued to close the short gap between them.
Sam watched Amanda fall to her knees, so he did the same. He covered the last two feet on his belly as he pulled himself into her waiting lap. He sighed deeply when she dropped her hands from her mouth and held his face lightly between her hands. He closed his eyes in total bliss when she planted a soft kiss upon the top of his head. “Aww…” he sighed. “Heaven is truly wonderful, but nothing compares to being touched again by you, Amanda…”
10. Little John Grows Suspicious
Little John had been busy in town since early morning, making arrangements for the next big fight. It was scheduled for Friday night, two weeks from now, and he needed to find a replacement dog for Spartacus. He was at the end of the long drive-way that led to the Abbott family home when he spotted his foreman, Clint Meacham, waiting for him at the wooden gate beside the crew bunk house.
Little John got out of his truck and took a quick look around. He flicked the blunt that he had been smoking and rubbed it into the ground. A blunt is a cigar in which the normal tobacco has been replaced with marijuana, and it was a staple for Little John Abbott. “Has Jones made it back here yet with Spartacus?”
Clint spat out juice from the wad of tobacco he had been babying inside his mouth for the past hour. “No…I haven’t seen neither hide nor hair of him since he left here early t
his morning.”
“Is that right?” Little John mused. “You know…you may have been right about him, Clint…there is something about him that doesn’t feel altogether right, isn’t there?”
“That was my feeling, Boss, but…”
“I know, I know…” Little John interrupted. “But…you weren’t here that day and we were short-staffed. I tried to do some more checking on him today while I was in town…still can’t find anything on the kid.”
“I’m keeping an eye on him, Boss. He’s pretty good with the dogs, I gotta say, but…”
“But, what?” Little John raised bushy eyebrows and smoothed down his meticulously-trimmed mustache.
“Well,” Clint shook his head. “It feels like the kid is too…sympathetic…with the mutts. I’ve watched him when he’s supposed to be training them against the bait dogs…when he thinks nobody is looking, and he’s a little too easy and soft with them, if you know what I mean.” He shook his head again.
Little John rubbed the back of his neck and looked toward one of the secluded training areas that was located inside a grove of large oak trees about a half-mile behind the bunk house. He could hear loud barking coming from the area now. “Doesn’t matter…we’ll only need him for a couple of more weeks, at the most.”
“Why is that, Boss?”
Little John stared hard at Clint. He trusted this man who had been with the Abbott family for more than twenty years, but he had never really liked him much. “I heard something in town this morning that’s got me a little worried. I’m thinking we might need to finish up the next couple of fights and then lay low with the dogs for a while.”
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