Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

by Roseanne Dowell

  “Harrumph.” Bea stomped her foot and went to her bedroom. If that’s the way Ed wanted to be, then fine. She didn’t need to eat dinner. She refused to be anywhere near that dog. Although Ed was right. It wasn’t his or Bruno’s fault. She let out a little chuckle. It was kind of funny the way Bruno jumped into her lap. Truth be told, even stealing the steak was amusing. Still, she couldn’t let Ed know that. At least not yet. He should be sticking up for her, not the dog. Time for a long hot shower. That should help relax her. After that, she might just call it an early night. If Ethel called back, let Ed deal with her.

  Bea was right, the hot shower did the trick. She crawled into bed, turned on the TV and laid back. Wasn’t long before she fell asleep.

  The next morning, conversation between Bea and Ed was strained to say the least. She didn’t like it, but darned if she was going to say something first. She knew she should, the disagreement – if you could call it that – was mostly her fault. Ed was right, she was the one who allowed Ethel to manipulate her, not Ed. And the dog seemed harmless enough. Other than his tail knocking everything off the coffee table. This morning he followed the boys around like a little puppy. Kind of cute to see. Champ and Bixby didn’t seem to mind him, and Bruno accepted them.

  Ed came up behind her, hugged her, and nuzzled her neck. “Still upset with me?”

  That was another of the things she loved about him. He never asked if she was still mad or angry. Upset was a nicer word. More considerate, tactful.

  “A little.” Bea snuggled into him. She couldn’t stay mad when he cuddled with her like that. Thing was he knew it. She smiled. He knew her too well.

  Ed kissed her cheek. “Only a little. How about now?”

  Bea laughed and slapped at him with the dish towel. “You’re such a stinker.”

  Ed turned her toward him and kissed her. “You know I love you.”

  “Well you sure didn’t show it last night, taking that dog’s side over me.”

  “You have to admit he couldn’t defend himself. I know it upset you when he took the steak. I understand, but crying over spilled milk isn’t going to solve anything.”

  “Fine. Now get out of my way, breakfast is ready, go call the boys.”

  After breakfast, Mark stood at the counter, making his lunch, Bruno jumped up and grabbed his sandwich. “Hey!” Mark covered his mouth.

  “I saw that,” Bea said. “Don’t try to protect him.”

  “Saw what?” Ed came in the room.

  “Bruno took the sandwich right out of Mark’s hand.”

  “Mark, I told you we had to be more careful about food around Bruno.”

  “Oh, so now you’re blaming Mark? What about you?” Bea pointed to the table where Bruno finished off the last of Ed’s breakfast. “Maybe you should be more careful with your food, too?”

  “Okay, you’re right. He’s got some issues. But in a few days, they’ll be Ethel’s problems.”

  Muahahaha, Bea rubbed her hands together. “That’s my only retribution. Ethel deserves it.” She opened the freezer. “Stew sound good for dinner?”

  “Sounds good to me. Mark, Stanley, you’d better get moving or you’re going to be late.” Ed looked at the clock.

  “What happened to the carrots?”

  “Um…uh…we’ll see you later, Aunt Beatrice Lulu. Bye, Uncle Ed.” Mark raced off and Stanley followed quickly behind.

  “Ed?”

  “He grabbed them out of Mark’s hand yesterday.”

  “Why did Mark have the carrots?”

  “He was going to give one to Bruno for a treat.”

  “I see, and there’s only two left?”

  “We’re lucky to have those.”

  “Do you see what I’m talking about? How can we keep a dog like that?”

  “I have to run to the hardware store. I’ll be back in a bit.” Ed kissed her cheek.

  “Sure, run away. We’ll discuss this more when you come back.” Bea put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and started it up. Bruno whined and danced around the kitchen, headed for the door, came back, and whimpered.

  Great, darn dog needed to go out and no one here but her. Looked like she had no choice. Why had she let Ethel talk her into this? It didn’t help that Ed loved the idea. Nothing like a big dog in his opinion. She took the leash from the hook. Bruno danced around and barked, bumping into her legs, almost knocking her over. This dog was going to be the death of her. Ethel was going to pay for this big time.

  Before she had the back-door half open, Bruno lunged forward, barking. Beatrice Lulu pulled back on his leash. He lunged again and almost knocked her off her feet, she barely caught her balance. Two deer grazed in the back yard.

  Bruno took off running, barking, and pulling Bea behind him. “Bruno, stop!” The deer took off running into the woods, leaping like Santa’s reindeer in the cartoons. Usually, she loved to watch them leap through the air. Not today. Right now, it took all her strength to hang onto the leash.

  Bruno lunged forward again. Beatrice Lulu lost her footing, fell to her knees, but hung on. Not that it slowed him down. He dragged her through the mud head first. Her hands burned from the leash. Exhausted and weak, she gave up, let go, and lay in a huge puddle.

  That did it, she’d had enough. Bruno had to go. She refused to be manipulated anymore. Nothing Ethel could say would make her change her mind. She’d had her fill.

  Finally catching her breath, Beatrice Lulu got to her knees and looked up into a wrinkly-faced, little woman with flaming red hair and sparkly blue eyes.

  “What the hell happened to you?” The older woman with heavy make-up looked Beatrice Lulu up and down.

  Beatrice Lulu managed to stand and started to explain.

  The woman waved her hand and laughed. “Never mind, I saw the whole thing.”

  “I’m glad you think it’s funny.”

  “You would’ve too, if you’d have seen it. I’m Delores Bather-Schmidt, by the way. I just moved in next door with my daughter and son-in-law. You must be Beatrice something or other. Mavis told me about you.”

  “Beatrice Lulu Eberhardt.” She extended her hand, pulled it back, wiped it off on the back of her jacket, and held it out again.

  “Beatrice Lulu, what kind of nonsense is that? Nope, I’ll call you Lulu. Has a nice ring to it. Yes, I like that. Lulu it is.” Delores ignored Beatrice Lulu’s hand. “Dog giving you trouble?”

  “Trouble isn’t the word for it.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Bruno.”

  Delores put her middle finger and thumb in the corners of her mouth and let out a piercing whistle. “Bruno, come on boy.”

  Beatrice Lulu had no idea why Delores bothered. Bruno was nowhere in sight.

  “Here boy, come on!” Delores patted her chest.

  Bruno came out of nowhere, hopped up in one leap, and placed his paws on Delores’s shoulders, his head even with hers and licked her face with one swoop of his tongue.

  “Aren’t you a beauty?” She pushed him down and rubbed his ears.

  Beatrice Lulu’s stomach turned over. One thing she couldn’t abide was a dog licking, especially her face. Apparently, some people didn’t mind.

  “If you can’t control your dog, you shouldn’t walk him. Hell, you shouldn’t even have one. Nothing irks me more than to see someone with a beautiful animal they can’t manage.”

  “He’s not mine, he’s my sister’s. I’m watching him. Well, I was until now. He’s going home tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “Other than house-broken, this dog is untrained, with a mind of his own. No wonder his last owners couldn’t keep him. Wouldn’t is more like it. He’s a monster. First, he stole a raw steak off the counter, snatched a sandwich out of Mark’s hand, ate half of Ed’s breakfast, and grabbed a whole bag of carrots all in a day and a half. I can’t even imagine what he’ll do the rest of the week, and I’m not about to find out.”

  “Where’s your sister?”

&
nbsp; Lulu explained the situation. “I wasn’t supposed to get him until later in the week, right before her husband’s birthday, but the dog shelter just got in three dogs, and more are coming tomorrow.”

  “So, you work for the rescue center. What do you do there?”

  “Oh, no. We volunteer. We feed the dogs, walk them, whatever they need us to do.”

  “No kidding, would you mind if I came along sometimes?”

  “Not at all. Louise would love to have you. The more volunteers the better. I see you love dogs.”

  “I do love them. It’s getting chilly, we’d better go inside and get you some clean, dry clothes.” Delores picked up the leash and shortened it up. Bruno sat, looking at her as if waiting to be told what to do. “Let’s go, bud.” Bruno walked obediently by her side.

  “How’d you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  Get him to walk next to you like that?”

  “For starters, you have to show him who’s boss. I’m the alpha, the pack leader. Besides, he had a good run and wore himself out. I’ll teach you if you want.”

  “No thanks. I didn’t want to take him to begin with. We have two dogs of our own. He’s going home tonight.” She’d be darned if she’d train him for Ethel, too.

  ***

  “Point me in the direction of the coffee and I’ll make a pot while you change. Unless you’d rather have tea.”

  “Either is fine with me, what would you rather have?” Beatrice Lulu pointed out the coffee maker, coffee, and tea.

  “I’m a coffee drinker myself. Never could abide tea, hot or cold. Go on, I’ve got this.”

  “Mind if I take a hot shower, too? I won’t be long.”

  “No need to hurry, I’ll be here when you get back.” Delores shooed Beatrice Lulu away and looked around. Nice kitchen other than the color scheme. Burnt orange walls, old-fashioned avocado appliances, and sink topped off by bright blue countertops. Size was nice, not too big, not too small. Plenty of counter space and cabinets. Five burner stove. Lulu must like to cook. A quick peek into the pantry confirmed her suspicions. Lulu not only liked to cook, she liked to bake. A woman after her own heart. None of this vegetarian stuff for Lulu and her family.

  Unlike her daughter and son-in-law. What ever happened to Mavis? She used to have such a healthy appetite. Not that she over ate, Mavis always watched her weight. Ever since she married Harry, her eating habits changed. Didn’t make sense to Delores, eating rabbit food. If God meant for us not to eat meat, he wouldn’t have given us so many teeth. Hopefully that would all change now she moved in.

  Beatrice Lulu came into the kitchen, towel drying her hair. Bruno wandered over to her. She cringed.

  “He likes you, you know.”

  Beatrice Lulu backed up, away from Bruno. “How can you tell?”

  “The way he follows you around. He won’t hurt you. Why don’t you like him?”

  “I…uh… he scares me.”

  “There’s no reason to be scared. You just need to show him you’re the alpha. He’s very gentle. I think it’s more than that.” Delores poured two cups of coffee. “It’s because of your sister, isn’t it?”

  “What are you, psychic?”

  Delores laughed. “Not hardly. No. I surmised it from the comments you’ve made. Does she intimidate you?”

  “More like manipulates me. Has ever since we’ve been kids.”

  “I can help you overcome your fear of Bruno as well as your sister.”

  “Really? How?” Beatrice Lulu sipped her coffee, looking at Delores over the top of her cup.

  “First you have to overcome your fear of Bruno. You do that by becoming the alpha. It’s not difficult. Once you’ve done that, you’ll know how to take control of your life. No one will manipulate you again.”

  “When do we start?”

  “Right now, if you want. Stand up, walk over to Bruno.”

  Beatrice Lulu stood, walked toward Bruno. He immediately stood, she backed away.

  “Stop, right there. Don’t back away. That gives him the upper hand. Move toward him, snap your finger and tell him to sit.”

  Beatrice Lulu walked toward him, did as Delores said, and Bruno sat. She looked up in surprise. “I …he sat. I don’t believe it.”

  “Of course he did. You showed him you’re in control. Now put your hand out flat near his face, tell him to stay, and back away.”

  Beatrice Lulu did what she was told. Bruno sat, looking at her, waiting for his next order.

  “Wow. That’s all there is to it?”

  “Pretty much. Now walk to him and tell him come, then put him in sit again.”

  Bruno followed and sat when Beatrice Lulu gave the command. She got more excited each time the dog followed her orders. “Now what?”

  “Hold up a finger, tell him to wait, then come stand by me.”

  Beatrice Lulu did as she was told. “I can’t believe he’s listening to me.”

  “I told you it was easy. Now, kneel, open your arms, and call him. If he starts to jump on you, tell him off.”

  Beatrice Lulu looked apprehensive.

  “Okay, don’t kneel. Just call him. When he comes to you, tell him sit, pet him, and praise him.”

  Just like that Bruno came to her and sat. Beatrice Lulu leaned down and hugged him. “Good boy.”

  “Next thing you need to teach him is how to walk next you. You give him too much leash. He walks you. Come on, I’ll show you.” Delores picked up the leash, attached it to Bruno’s collar, and shortened it. “You don’t need any more than this. Walk tall, confident.” She handed the leash to Beatrice Lulu. “You try.”

  Beatrice Lulu took the leash, shortened it the way Delores suggested, took a breath, and walked across the room. Bruno walked next to her as if he’d been doing it forever. She stopped. “Sit.” Bruno sat. She turned around, and walked back. Again, Bruno followed, walking right next to her. “That’s it? That’s all there is to it? That’s all I had to do?”

  “Pretty much. But you must work with him. Keep giving him the commands. You can even teach him tricks, but he won’t be here long enough for that. You’re not really sending him back tonight, are you?”

  Beatrice Lulu continued to pet Bruno’s head. “No, I guess I won’t, I can’t believe it was so easy. Now I need to do the same thing to Ethel.” She laughed. “Oh, if it was only so easy.”

  “It is. All you have to do is say no and walk away. She’ll get the idea before you know it.”

  “You don’t know my sister.”

  Delores looked at her watch. “I’d love to stay and visit longer, but I have to go. Are you going to the dog shelter tomorrow?”

  “Yes, would you like to come along?”

  “If you don’t mind. What time?”

  “Be here about nine. Or better yet, come for breakfast. I’ll make omelets. About eight okay?”

  “Sounds great. See you then.”

  Chapter 15

  Bea couldn’t resist practicing once Delores left. “Sit.” Bruno sat. “Come.” Bruno came. She repeated the commands several more times, took the leash and walked her like Delores showed her. After several times, she didn’t need to tell him to sit when she stopped. Question was, how would he react outside? Only one way to find out.

  She told Bruno to sit and wait, opened the door, took a step outside and told him to come. He obeyed just like inside. “Okay, let’s see what happens when we walk.” She headed into the woods, walking at a brisk pace. Well, brisk for her that is. Bruno walked beside her. She stopped, he stopped and sat.

  “Good boy.” Bea patted Bruno’s head. “Let’s go back inside.”

  Ed pulled in as they reached the step. Bruno started to lunge. “Sit.” Bruno immediately sat.

  “Looks like you made a friend.” Ed reached out and patted Bruno’s head.

  “We’ve come to terms with each other.”

  “Good. Hold the door for me, will you, while I unload these tools and supplies.”

  “What
did you buy now?”

  “Just some things I needed for the dry wall. We’ve got the rooms all framed so I’m ready to install the walls. I didn’t think to get the proper tools to cut it.”

  “I can’t wait to see it with the walls. It’s going to look so different.” Bea followed Ed inside and hung up her jacket.

  “Didn’t you have different clothes on before I left?”

  Bea looked down at her clothes. “Oh, um…yes, I did.”

  “Thought so. Why’d you change, are you going somewhere?”

  “No, I fell in a puddle while I was walking Bruno. Oh, I met Delores, Mavis’s mother.”

  “Whose mother?”

  “Mavis, our new neighbor.”

  “Where’d you meet her?”

  “You’re not going to believe it.”

  “Try me.” Ed poured himself a cup of coffee.

  Bea explained what happened with Bruno.

  “I swear, woman you get yourself into more situations than anyone I’ve ever met.”

  “I’m going to invite them for Thanksgiving Dinner.”

  “Who?” Ed took some cookies out of the cabinet.

  “Delores, Mavis, and Harry. Aren’t you listening?”

  “Of course I am. Why?”

  “Because they don’t have anyone here, that’s why. Besides, it’s the neighborly thing to do.”

  “Aren’t they vegetarians?” Ed sat at the counter.

  “Yes, but there’ll be plenty of vegetables for them to eat. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Not really, but you surprise me. You don’t usually invite strangers to dinner with the family. I’m going upstairs to do some work. Want to help?”

  “No, I’m going to bake a pie. What do you want for lunch?”

  “Whatever’s easy for you. What kind of pie? Peach?”

  Bea laughed. “You and your peach pie. Okay. Peach it is. Oh, Delores wants to come to the shelter with us tomorrow. I told her okay.”

  “Really?”