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All Rights Reserved
As Published in Dog Days
Through almost fifteen winters, she had patiently waited while he went off to the corporate world to seek his fame and fortune. She watched his career blossom and silently admired his determination to be the best. As he reached each of his milestones, she encouraged him to reach higher and farther to grasp for that next golden ring.
Each time he reached a new position they celebrated. A vacation to see far-away sights, a new home or a simple dinner together. When he felt he had risen as far and as fast as was possible in the corporate world, she fortified his desire to break out on his own. Her courage and endurance supported his decision, just a few short months ago, to join with others like himself, to form a new and innovative company. Again, she patiently waited each day for him to return so that they could have their few minutes together. As dedicated and persistent as he was, she was always there to support him and to cheer him up or on.
They took long walks together, planning and developing strategy for his next objective. Neither would lead, neither would follow. Side by side, like equals, they discussed the events which shaped their lives and those of the world. Together, they could and did solve any problem they faced.
It was not as big a house as they lived in several years earlier. When he left the corporate scene, they had moved into a more conservative home in a nice neighborhood. A few months ago, they began discussing the possibility of building a new home in a year or so. Just a little retirement place for the two of them. With a big lawn and large rooms. It would also need a hugh den with a big screen TV and a comfortable couch for them to sit on and have their nightly discussions.
But now, she was threatening to leave him. As I arrived, she did not greet me. He said she was sleeping. He and I chatted a while about each of us getting older, our aches and pains and the occasional arthritis which seems to effect our actions. He left me in the den to check on her and soon returned to ask me to join them.
The three of us sat and talked about the numerous good times and the occasional bad times, their failures and successes and his new goals. She again stated that she must leave him soon. He had already acknowledged that it was her right, not his, to decide whether she should stay or go. Our job now was to see that she left with as little emotion and pain as possible. It was recommended that I drive them to the departure point. As I drove, they sat and talked. We were not in a hurry, the decision had already been made. Nothing we did or said was going to change her mind now.
She left him, standing in the parking lot, wiping tears from his eyes. Her final look seeming to say that he should not be so emotional about it. He should not be surprised at her actions. But, she was sorry, old friend, to leave him on Christmas Eve.
Some day, he will be ready to find a new friend. It will be hard, it will be difficult. Everyone he looks at will remind him of her. I and his other friends will be there to support him and to give him what little guidance we may be able to impart.
And then, that magic moment will happen. He will have once again found another friend, perhaps this time for the next fifteen years.
© 2003-1996 - Ed Presnall - All Rights Reserved