by David Kersey
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
John helped me jump out of the SUV and I felt the familiar hard surface of the car park. I could smell the hedges and fragrances from more remote areas. John surprised me by walking me toward the kennel. I thought for sure we'd go inside the house.
He unhooked the leash and said, "I'll be back in a bit." Familiar smells, a lot of them.
"HHheeelllloooo BBBuuuccckkkk."
My heart started to ache.
"Huh Hel lo Buh Buck," which noise was accompanied by soft pats on the kennel floor.
"Hello Buck." Definitely Penny
"Hello Buck." That sound was above me. Oliver was up there on top of the kennel.
"Hello Buck." Methusaleh.
"Hello Buck." That's Randall's voice.
"Hello Buck." Raspy.
Then silence.
"Who's missing?" I said.
"Sit down, Buck." Cassie gave the order.
"Dorcas is not here, Buck. She didn't make it, the ants got her and we'll miss her." It was Penny talking. "And we don't know what became of Felicia. No one saw her run away from us."
"She's probably hiding waiting for us to find her." Methusaleh huffed.
Penny continued. "Candace and the other Klein animals have gone back home, Buck. The ants over there are under control. It was safe for them to go back."
"Is it safe here?" I asked.
"Yes, they're gone. Well, not gone except to the ant hell we sent them. It is safe here. Harold didn't mean to kick you, Buck. I hope you can forgive him."
"I know he didn't mean it. I forgive him."
"Buck, can you see anything at all?"
"I'll always be able to see you in my mind. But right now, no, I can't see."
Penny said, "You will always be my hero, Buck. As a memorial to Dorcas, I will say for her that you'll be the blind leading the swine."
"Yeah," Methusaleh again butted in, "and in memory of Dorcas I will roll my eyes."
"You're my hero too, Buck. Without you there would have been more of us die."
"Thanks Oliver. Coming from you that's a huge compliment."
"Mmmeeee ttttooooo."
"Buck, just sit back and we'll tell you what has happened since you collapsed. There's food and water by the doghouse." I knew that, I could smell it.
Penny took her time recounting the events since I blacked out. She would pause now and then and ask the others if she left a detail out. By the time she was finished it must have been well past dark.
"Buck, it's time for you to go to bed. Welcome back and we'll see you tomorrow. We love you, Buck." I heard the circle leaving.
"Thank you for greeting me and filling me in. It makes me feel good. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'm staying with you tonight, and maybe forever, Buck. Deal?"
"Oh Cassie, I am so glad you said that. One thing for sure, I will see you in my dreams."