Is there anybody out there? #20

This blog continues on the series ‘Is there anybody out there?” Feel free to read the previous chapters here

You have been neighbours for twenty years. You noticed something was up, and you had plucked up the courage to go and visit your neighbour Molly. A little while back, Molly shared how love may be an option and had brought it up again.

‘Another beautiful day’ you were thinking ‘It aways seems that way down here.’

“Did Jessica say where they were planning to go?” You ask.

“No, I would never get that information.” replied Molly. “The only clue I got was idyllic.”

“That’s certainly what it sounds like.” you add.

You were looking towards the beach. You noticed many out today. Couples holding hands, Grandparents with their Grandkids. Dogs being walked. Beautiful indeed.

It was then you noticed a guy walking his dog, coming this way.

“Hey Molly” you start “I have never bought hubby down here. I suppose it is a bit of a respect thing for you.”

The guy is getting closer.

“I was wondering whether it would be OK for me to bring him down here? I would like to share this place with him.”

But you were distracted. The guy was coming for a coffee. He had a kind face, and was wearing a cap.

Before you realised it, the words came blurting out “Gee what a beautiful dog. What is its name?”

You felt a short kick under the table. But Molly was maintaining her composure.

“Oh” he replied “Rusty.”

‘What do to?’ you were thinking. ‘Do I stop or keep going?’

Molly chimed in at this point “That is a perfect name for him.”

The guy smiled “Yes he is great company. We come down here most days. I can walk here from our place.”

‘Oh’ you think ‘our.’

“Oops I always do that” the guy replied “I meant mine. It used to be ours.”

You sensed a story here, and it felt right to ask “Would you like to join us?”

Molly kicked you under the table again, but it was a bit more playful this time.

“If that is Ok, I would appreciate the company.”

He ordered coffee, and came and sat. There was dead silence for a while. It got a little awkward. 

Then Molly ventured “Does Rusty’s owner have a name?”

“Patrick” he replied. 

This commentary in this blog is intended to be general in nature. It is just some observations from one fellow traveller in life to another. If anything in this blog raises issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or consult with a trusted medical professional.

Photo by Nathan Bingle on Unsplash