Dangerous Hilarity

by Sioux Dallas

  “Does the dog stay in the room with the people?” Jason asked.

  “Of course. That’s the idea. The dog and person live together and do everything together that they’ll do when the person goes home.” The teens met some of the people in their rooms. One blind woman didn’t want them to touch her dog or come in her room. They tactfully went on.

  The group was subdued when they came back to the lobby of the administration building.

  “I had a vague idea of what is done, but I appreciate the work with my whole heart now that I’ve seen it,” Anna spoke quietly. She then turned and grinned broadly. “Marshall! I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I heard you say you’d be here today, so I got daddy to drive me over. You are going to work with us, aren’t you?”

  Anna sat on a chair beside Marshall and explained how the boys would work but the girls would be in college and could only work during vacations. Marshall leaned over to hug Anna. “I’m so glad I got to know you. Can you come to my house and see me?”

  “I’d love to, but I won’t have time right now. I will never forget you and will expect you to answer letters I’ll write to you.”

  “Sure,” he yelled. “Daddy, will you help me write a letter to Anna?”

  “I sure will, son and mom will, too. Thank you for being so nice to my big boy. I hate to break up a good thing, but we need to get home.”

  “Anna, don’t you want to give Chuckles a hug? I don’t want him to feel left out. He likes you, too.”

  “I would love to hug Chuckles.” The dog threw himself against her chest and gave her doggie kisses. All of the young people hugged Marshall and Chuckles.

  Tom turned to John. “Is it possible for you to give us a time schedule as to when you’ll need us? Tim and I have paying part-time jobs and we need them for school supplies. We need to schedule our hours.”

  “I’m working on that,” Jake answered. “We need you on Saturdays for sure and any days during the week you can spare. Let us know when you’ll be available.”

  “What will we start doing?”

  “Bathing dogs, cleaning kennels and general cleaning. That’s on Saturdays. You’ll be needed to walk dogs and clean up during the week.”

  “Great,” Jason grinned. “I’ve never owned a dog so someone will have to show me how to bathe one. I’m willing to work and learn.”

  “We’ll help you.” Tom placed an arm across Jason’s shoulders. “There’ll be times that we’ll all need help. We’ll help each other.”

  “I’m sorry that we need to leave. I’m leaving for college this Saturday for an orientation. After that I can help until the first week in August. The others can come whenever they wish, but I’ll be thinking of all of you.”

  Anna smiled and waved to the staff who’d gathered around them.

  “The numbers of volunteers vary because of personal appointments and things they have to do. With your group, we have about twenty-five youth volunteers and about twelve adults. We’re thankful for all of you.”

  “By the way, where are the dogs in training?” Janell asked.

  Jean answered. “Today they’re at a mall learning to go on an escalator and to move among crowds. They’ve already been on busy streets learning to maneuver through traffic.”

  “Look. Here comes one of our people and his German Shepherd. Watch what happens,” Jake told them. “This man can only see shadows and the difference between light and dark. He needs constant help.”

  Someone had brought the man in a car and had gotten his wheelchair out of the trunk. A big male Shepherd with a harness on got out of the car and stood by the chair. The man hooked a long leash from the dog’s harness to one arm of his chair. The dog guided the chair from the car, up a ramp and toward the door. Reaching the door the man looped a short rope around the door handle and the dog took the rope in his teeth. He backed up pulling the door open. The man said, “hold.” As soon as the chair cleared the door, the dog hurried through and left the rope in the man’s lap.

  “Why didn’t he come through the automatic door?” Jason asked puzzled.

  “He wants to keep his dog in practice. Hello, Martin.” John greeted him.

  “Hey, John. Isn’t Hercules great?”

  “He sure is. The two of you work well together. Martin, I want you to meet some nice young people who are new volunteers. They’re on their way home now, but I’m sure they can wait long enough to meet you and Hercules.”

  Tom walked to Martin and took his hand to shake it. “Hi. I’m Tom Jackson and you’re going to be familiar with me real soon because I’m going to tell you about the greatest German Shepherd that ever lived and how she mated with a real wolf.”

  “I can hardly wait,” Martin said. “When will you tell this story?”

  “My twin brother and I, and some of our friends, will be here on Saturday. Will you be here?”

  “Just try to keep me away.”

  “Mom, you wouldn’t believe what marvelous things these dogs can do,” Tom gushed. “They use a lot of German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Australian Shepherds and Collies. Have you ever seen a smooth coat Collie?” he didn’t wait for her answer. “It makes chills go up my spine to see the dogs work. One man has a great Shepherd named Hercules and ----”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, let someone else have a chance. This is only our first day at work. Mom, Dad, did you know that some prisons are letting selected prisoners they can trust keep dogs and teach them?” Tim continued.

  “No. this is the first I’ve heard of it, but I’d like to know more about the program,” Herb answered. “Anna, why aren’t you giving your impressions of the school?”

  “Surely you jest, Dad. How could I get a word in with these two bozos. I can’t blame them. It’s going to be very rewarding and exciting to know how much your work means to a person who needs you.”

  “I take it all three of you think it’s going to be a worth-while project.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry I won’t have more time before I leave for college, but I’m glad my brothers will have such a delightful experience.”

  That night Tim leaned against Anna’s doorway. “Hey, Anna. Knock. Knock.”

  “Who’s there?”

  “Amish.”

  “Amish who?”

  “Amish you already.” The three siblings shared laughs and remembrances.

  The next day Anna took the twins to an empty lot to start them driving. “First look at everything on the dashboard and learn where everything is so that you can operate the vehicle without having to search while your eyes should be on the road. Ask questions now if you want to know how something works.”

  The twins carefully looked at everything even how to raise and lower the seats, turn on the lights, the wipers and set the side mirrors. Tim sat in the back while Tom took the first turn. Anna was patient but firm.

  “Whoever is in the back seat must keep silent on the pain of death, or at the pain of thirty lashes with a wet noodle. If you get scared, hold your hand over your moth and lie down on the seat, but don’t dare to do anything that will distract the one driving. Is--that--clear?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Tim saluted, but grinned.

  “Sure thing,” Tom said, “now can I start?”

  “No. My car will not start until you do something very important. That applies in the back seat as well.”

  “Oh, yeah. Fasten the seat belt.” Tom looked pleased with himself. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

  “Check the rear view mirror and both side mirrors to be sure you can see clearly. Is your seat in a comfortable position?” Tom nodded. “Put the key in the ignition and place your foot on the brake. The brake, in newer cars, serves as a brake and a clutch. Turn the key on, the gear is in P for park. Put your finger on the button on the shift and press down while you shift the lever to D for drive. Place both hands on the wheel and slowly let up on the brake at the same time you press down on the accelerator pedal. Slow is the word today and a sa
fer way to learn.”

  Tom carefully did as she instructed and surprisingly started without jerking. “Hey! Nothing to it,” he chortled.

  “Don’t get too big for your britches, yet. There’s a lot to learn.” Anna had him drive forward, turn corners and stop as if he were at a traffic light. Tom practiced for about half an hour and then got in the back seat so Tim could take his turn. Tim had carefully listened and observed all Tom had done and he did very well.

  “In the next lesson, I’ll teach you how to pull over to a curb and parallel park. I’m so proud of both of you and mom and dad will be pleased, too. Please don’t be tempted to drive someone’s car to show what you’ve learned. A good driver is a cautious one.”

  “I have a surprise for you. Here it comes now.” Anna went to meet a man pulling up in a pickup.

  “Isn’t that Daniel Hobson?” Tom asked Tim softly. “I hope Anna isn’t getting involved with him. He doesn’t have a good reputation.”

  “Cool it,” Tim hissed. “We’ve only heard rumors and you know what dad says about rumors. Make sure you know facts before making comments. Besides, she’s never mentioned him, so I don’t guess she’s involved with him.”

  “Hi, guys,” Daniel called a friendly greeting as he climbed into the bed of his truck. “Is this what you wanted, Anna?”

  “Yes, and thank you so much.” Anna called to her brothers to come get the orange traffic cones from Daniel’s truck. “Daniel was kind enough to borrow these from where he works. We’ll take good care of them and return them in good condition.”

  Daniel left and she showed the twins how to set the cones about thirty feet apart in a straight row. They practiced driving and weaving between the cones. Then they placed them in two rows ten feet apart, six of them on each side and two in the middle at the end making a parking place. Anna had her brothers practice backing between the cones without touching them.

  “My goodness. You’re doing so well, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d already been learning. The next time we’ll practice parallel parking. Now get the cones in the trunk and let’s go home.”

  They had set up the cones for parallel parking when Daniel pulled up in his truck. “Here comes Daniel. Is he taking the cones?” Tom was worried.

  “Hi people,” Daniel called happily. “Are you ready?”

  “Ready for what?” Tom looked from Anna to Daniel.

  “The next stage in your driving practice. When you get on the highway you won’t be alone. All drivers are not courteous and careful. You’re going to need to learn how to drive defensively,” Anna smiled encouragingly.

  “Defensively? I hope you don’t mean we’ll have to fight,” Tom spluttered.

  Daniel threw his head back and laughed. “No, but sometimes you’ll feel as if you are because there are some drivers who really should not be on the road. They’ll try your patience.”

  “Tom, you first. You’re going to drive around this field and practice passing Daniel as if he were in traffic with you. He’ll pass you and he might even do something that upsets you. A good driver may fume and fret, but he or she keeps cool and alert.”

  “Trust me to be careful and not do anything that will put you or your car at risk, but you do need to be alert for many situations. I will pull some stunts that will not be courteous, and in some instances, may be dangerous.

  When driving, always keep your eyes, ears and mind on just that -- your driving,” Daniel told them.

  As Tom was driving, Daniel came up close behind him and suddenly cut around Tom, picked up speed and was well ahead of him. “Very good,” Anna praised Tom who had remained calm and alert. “The next time you turn this corner, I want you to pass Daniel the same way. Don’t get too close before you cut out to pass. Check all your mirrors to be sure another car is not also passing. Turn your left signal on to show the car behind you that you’re pulling out. When you drive back in front of Daniel, use your right signal to show up your pulling in front of him.”

  After about twenty minutes, Tim took the wheel and did the same things. Suddenly Daniel passed Tim and immediately cut in front of him with no signal and cut him off. Throwing his brake on, Tim looked as if he might faint. Tom shrieked in the back seat. Tim stopped and got out of the car.

  “You dumb jerk!” Tim yelled angrily. He looked perplexed when Anna and Daniel laughed. Tom shakily crawled out of the back seat prepared to sail into Daniel and tell him off.

  “What’s so funny?” Tim frowned. “You could have caused a wreck.”

  “Tim, I warned you to be careful about careless drivers. Sometimes they’re drunk, on drugs or very angry about something. It’s better to gain experience here than to be caught unprepared in traffic,” Daniel explained. “And something else very important. Never, ever get out of your car to yell or do battle. You might run right into one. You might even get shot and killed. Get the license number and report the incident; where it happened, what happened, what time and day it was and a description of the car. Drivers like that need to be taken off the road.”

  Tom laughed weakly. “Well I guess we did learn a valuable lesson today. Ah, could we continue on another day? I don’t think I’m ready for more of this.”

  “Daniel and a few others will meet us the next two or three times to practice defensive driving before you practice on the open road,” Anna said.

  The three thanked Daniel for his help and went home.

  Anna had enjoyed orientation day at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, and met her roommate. She and her friends had agreed that they would have other roommates and still be close friends. She was excited to be entering college, but knew she’d miss family and work at the guide dog school.

  Jason gave everyone a charge with his enthusiasm in bathing dogs. He usually got more suds and water on himself than on the dog. Each time the group left the school, they counted their blessings.

  One morning De had picked everyone up for the girls’ last day at the school. Mark looked behind them. “Holy cow. That’s Alex driving behind us. He’s breaking the law driving alone. He only has a learner’s permit.”

  “Not only that, we don’t want him to know where we’re going. He might be more trouble than we’re prepared to deal with if he brings his gang down.” De spoke anxiously as she kept looking in the rear mirror.

  “I have an idea,” Tom spoke quickly. “Casually turn left at the next corner.” De turned as if she meant to drive that way. “Now turn right at the next corner and drive into the parking lot on your left.”

  “Hey, it’s the City Police Building,” Jason laughed. They all gave a sigh of relief when Alex drove by and picked up speed to disappear. They waited until he was well out of sight.

  “Let’s go down the alley and out on Cortez Drive. We can turn right at the next intersection and go our merry way. Keep eagle eyes open. It never would do for Alex to find the school,” Mark told them.

  “It might do him good,” Tom mused. “Maybe if he saw other people’s troubles, he would straighten and drop those wild friends. He might even be the old lovable Alex again.”

  “When was that loser ever lovable?” Tim snapped. “Forget him. The work we’re doing is too important to risk hurting innocent people and animals just to give Alex the Horrible another chance. “

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The remainder of the drive was uneventful and they were soon pulling into the school grounds. They all grinned with joy to see fat, happy little puppies wriggling in the arms of older people sitting on benches or walking around the grounds. “The puppy huggers are at work,” Janell sang out.

  “Isn’t it great? The puppies get lots of love and attention and those dear old people, who might be lonely, feel they are needed, and they are.” Michelle spoke as she looked lovingly at the people and puppies.

  About half an hour later a gentle rain began to fall. The teens hurried to help get the puppies in their clean cages. The cages for the older dogs could be hosed out by leading a few dog
s at a time in the walkway, then turn on big fans to dry them so the dogs could go back into a clean, dry cage.

  A Veterinarian, Dr. Larry Mason, was just finishing giving shots and checking some dogs. He patiently answered the teens’ questions about his work. The young people then made a dash for the dormitory to learn what training was required to help bond people and dogs. They loved talking to the people and learning their personal lives. As they left one room and started walking down the hall toward the lobby, they heard a child’s excited voice calling to them.

  “It’s Marshall.”

  “Hi sport.”

  “Whatchadoin pal?”

  The teens called a welcome to Marshal. “Go Chuckles.” The dog gave a happy bark and came charging toward them. Anna stepped in front to stop the dog and chair. She leaned over to hug Marshall while the rest took turns hugging Chuckles and Marshall.

  Anna had a strange feeling of grief as she took a careful look at the little boy. The pale skin of his face seemed translucent and the violent smudges under his eyes were darker than usual. He looked as if he had lost some weight and got tired easily.

  “I asked Mommie to bring me over so I could see everybody.” Marshall burbled. “Me’n Chuckles talked it over and he wanted to come, too. Mommie, you haven’t met these friends of mine. This is Mommie,” he said proudly as he introduced each one, very proud that he had learned to recognize the difference between Tom and Tim.

  “Hi, Mommie. I’m Tom. We’re certainly glad to know you.”

  “Mommie is what I am, but you can call me Sharlene. My little man has told me about all of you, especially you, Anna. Thank you all for being so good to my son.” Her voice was pleasant, but Anna detected a hint of sadness in her eyes.

  While the crowd took Marshall to see the new puppies, Anna visited with Sharlene. “Is Marshall not feeling well? He seems to be more tired than usual and looks pale.”

  Sharlene put her hands over her face and started crying. “I guess it would help to talk about it, but it‘s so hard. I blame myself. Brian, my husband, gets impatient with me and denies that I’m to blame.”