by David Kersey
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE
“Well, it’s like this. Bblackie don’t really talk, I mean at least not to me. I talk to him and I know he listens and maybe understands somewhat but that’s as far as it goes. But, you know, way back when at Lackland he got real friendly like with another trainee named Llamar, a German shepherd. They’d just sit and stare at each other real close like they was statues or somethin’. Then one day they was doin’ that and both of ‘em got up, trotted out to the range, and picked up a rope and did tug a war with each other. I saw it happen. When they got done they went back to bein’ statues again. That’s the first time I noticed somethin’ strange between ‘em, but they did somethin’ like that day after day when they wasn’t trainin’.
John had driven the ATV to the old house and barn area. He swung the ATV so that the headlights shone on the house. “Sorry to interrupt, Tillie, but take notice of this old house. John and I have decided to fix it up and make it available for vets with PTSD. They could live here while we train them to work with our new arrivals. Studies have shown that the bonding between the soldiers and their canines substantially helps relieve the traumatic stress.”
“Oh, that’s totally wonderful, Miss Marlene. I’ve known some of that type that gets the willies for no reason it seems. But you and I both know, don’t we. It’s not that hard to understand with all the stuff we’ve seen. Coulda happened to us, right?”
“Yes, it could have, but I didn’t experience combat like you did, yet I did have another type of trauma that my memory will not let go. So yes, very understandable and I think we can help. Keep going about Bblackie.”
“Yes, ma’am. Well, he got to know this goat over in Iraq. Same thing happened as with Llamar. They’d just sit darn near nose to nose, then go off together like they was best buddies. Even my C.O. noticed and told me that ain’t natural. There’s a lot more to say, but listen, he’ll be here tomorrow night, Lord willin’, and then we might see him and Buck, an’ Cassie too, just to see if’n its works for them.”
“Good idea, Tillie. There’s something more about Buck I want to show you. Let’s head on back to the basement.” Marlene fought the urge to speak in the same delightful slang as Tillie. That little gal was contagious.
I looked at Cassie and said, “Tarnation, wonder if’n we be gittin’ a thang to nose up to.” Cassie turned her head away, obviously unimpressed, but I bet she was grinning. We arrived back at the house and the warmth of the basement felt good.
“Would you look at that, my stars, that’s the biggest keyboard in the whole world.”
Marlene showed Tillie how the theater chairs reclined, then brought a pillow and blanket from one of the cabinets and showed her the bathroom. “Do you have a change of clothes with you?”
“No ma’am, ‘cept for a set of underwear.”
“I have a robe you can wear, but that’s about all I have that would fit you.”
“Suits me fine, Miss Marlene. I sleep in my clothes all the time, but I might try your robe if you don’t mind. What’s up with that big ole keyboard?”
Marlene looked at me so I assumed the position. I hit the sleep key and the TV screen jumped to life. I typed BUCK, then HAYRIDE. I looked over at Tillie and could have thrown a tennis ball inside her mouth, if I knew how to throw that is. Marlene sat on the side of the same chair as Tillie.
“Listen carefully, Tillie. First, no one can know about this. If people knew it would cause a circus and that would be counterproductive to what we want to accomplish here. You understand, no one can know outside this room?”
“Yes, I understand. I won’t breathe a word of it, I swear.”
“Second, one of the reasons we are taking on this mammoth undertaking with the facility is because we want Buck to teach communication skills to the trainees. Do you see how much that could help with the military and many other outlets?”
“For sure, oh wow, my mind is explodin’ with what could happen.”
“Third, if Bblackie is what you say he is, then we would want him to be a player in that. But I want you to know that if your dog and my dog don’t see eye to eye then we’ll have to put some restraints in place. You and I both know that dogs can be jealous of one another and you’ve seen what happens after that. Does that make sense to you?
“I sure do see what you’re sayin’. I hope there’s no problem but I don’t know just yet. How could I? Bblackie never did have a problem with any other dogs that I could reckon.”
“Ok, just so you know. Buck is a golden retriever and is a giver, but you know the Mals, they’re different so we’ll have to be watching closely. By the way, did you ever come across a Mal named Guido?”
“Can’t say that I did, name’s not familiar.”
“Just curious. Guido is a Mal and was here for a couple days last summer. Buck and Guido became instant friends. In those two days Guido almost started talking because of listening to Buck. Guido is coming here in a couple months, just so you know. Couple of other things. Do you need some money for the round trip?”
“I have fifty bucks left an’ a paycheck I haven’t cashed in yet, so no, I’m fine. And Miss Marlene, where would I live up here?”
“Right where you are until the guest house is finished. That will be another month or so.”
“That’s wonderful. I was a tad scared when I pictured myself in the old farmhouse with a bunch of disturbed men.”
Marlene laughed. “Don’t worry your sweet head, dear. Let’s go sit in the other room. John wants to talk with you about Jefferson Davis. You game?”
“Surely. I love talkin’ about Jeff. He’s kin an’ all that you know?”