The Dust of Death

Chapter 10

It started as a grand experiment in the early 1800s – a desire to one-up those snooty aristocrats across the sea, to show the naysayers there, that not all Americans were the raw-wrist, ruffian cousins that most Europeans believed them to be. In the salons of the great houses along the river, an idea was born, nurtured, and financed. The city would build a park to rival any across the Great Waters.

To achieve this goal, twelve hundred acres were acquired, by hook and crook, and remodeled into a rolling landscape of lakes, streams, and pastoral vistas. The plan was to take a bit of the country and plant it right smack dab in the northern quadrant of the vast metropolis. Many names were batted around. A contest was held, but eventually, it was simply referred to as 'The Park.'

No other moniker was necessary.

Rich and poor alike knew what was meant when anyone said, 'I'm off to the park.'

Fine carriages and fancy horses leisurely roamed its wide avenues. Middle-class and poorer relations enjoyed concerts under the shade of giant hardwoods. Everyone was welcomed.

Here, the tortured soul of the city dweller could reconnect with his country roots, let his eyes feast on the beauties of Nature, and feel as if he was transported back into the scenic heartland of a forgotten paradise – all for the price of a trolley ticket.

Everyone agreed; the park was a roaring success.

The place was magical, and Flix counted himself lucky to have found an apartment that bordered it. He threw his face into the sun as he exited his building, breathing in the fresh, morning air. It was a wonderful day to be alive, he thought. Not too humid. Not too hot.

But instantly, the corners of his mouth bent squarely down. The tug on his hand reminded him of the real reason for this trip outside.

"Good morning, sir," the doorman said.

"Good morning, Charlie," Flix said.

"I see you're out for a walk, sir. And have you been behaving for your new master, Baby?"

"Baby has most certainly not been behaving, Charlie. She threw up, and before I could wipe up the mess, she ate it! She chewed up one of my best pairs of shoes, yesterday. And what she does with the toilet paper! Baby, ohhhh Baby, is all I can say."

"Well, sir," said Charlie, "I know they can be a pain sometimes. Dogs are a lot like kids, but ya' gotta love 'em."

"If you say so, Charlie. If you say so."

"When is Miss Jessie coming back, if you don't mind my asking, sir."

"I don't mind at all, Charlie. She still has a couple of weeks before her return voyage. Her telegrams report that she is having a wonderful time."

"I'm sure she is, sir. That is a trip of a lifetime!"

"Yes. I'm glad she's having fun," Phalen said.

Well, sir, I'm sure she'll be eternally grateful to you for taking such good care of Baby. And Baby thanks you, too. Don't you, girl?" Charlie asked.

In response, Baby pooped on the sidewalk near Flix's shoe.

"Oh, Baby!" Flix said. "Couldn't you have waited until we made it to the park?"

Charlie could only laugh.

"Don't worry about Baby's accident, sir. I'll clean it up. Got three pups of my own at home, and that's the reason I always carry a few spare rags just for this kind of thing."

"Thanks, Charlie. You're a gem. Now, if I can just get Baby's exercise in before she decides to fertilize the whole block, I'll be happy. Then, it's off to the office, we go."