Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 91 - Being Prepared

The last six days of Passover were relatively uneventful that year. Greg and Susan and their family celebrated it largely on their own. Susan and Zack went to Good Friday services with Matt and Ashley on Friday. Everyone except Matt and Ashley went to Julie's again for dinner on Saturday, and Susan, Matt, Ashley, and Zack celebrated Easter on Sunday. They'd done that sort of thing often enough through the years it had become their family's tradition, if not actually routine.

Everyone went back to work or school or both on Monday. Then on Tuesday, Greg and Susan took Melody back to the doctor. One week after starting the new medication, they got up early and made the trek across town.

Their first stop was at the Medical Center for Melody's tests. They were finished by mid-morning and headed to the doctor's office next for Melody's appointment with Dr. Lin.

"We're a little early," Susan remarked as they walked through the halls of the building.

"We're not that early, Susan. We can wait in the waiting room as easily as we can in the car ... and we don't have time to go anywhere else," Greg said.

"Yes, okay," Susan said. "We can take our time though."

"Certainly," Greg agreed.

They paused in the lobby of the building to admire a small fountain against one of the walls. Water trickled over the irregular surface forming intriguing patterns before flowing into a narrow basin at its base. They were still admiring it when another family with a little girl a little older than Melody came into the building. The little girl had oddly shaped ears which seemed suggest she had medical problems, an impression that was reinforced by the fact she was also holding the lead of a golden colored dog wearing a service animal vest. It was so unusual to see an animal of any kind in the medical building, the Abernathys turned to watch their approach.

"Hi puppy," Melody said to the dog as the other family paused to look at the fountain too as they walked by.

She took a step or two towards the child with the dog and held out her hand as though to pat him.

"Melody, we should ask first before trying to pet someone else's dog," Susan cautioned. "Hello," she said to the child and her mother.

"Hello," the other woman said.

"Is it alright if my daughter pets your dog?" Susan asked.

"We try to discourage it generally, since Sandy is a service dog, but he won't hurt her if that's what you mean," the woman said.

"Just look at him, Melody," Greg suggested.

Melody pulled back her hand looking very disappointed.

Meanwhile the child's mother was looking curiously at Greg.

"My dog," the little girl told Melody.

"Okay," Melody said. "Nice dog?"

The other girl just stared at Melody, while her mother smiled at Greg. It was obvious from her expression she recognized him.

"He's a very nice dog," the girl's mother said, looking at Greg.

"I'm sure he is," Greg said genially.

Melody turned to look at the mother too.

"Go ahead, pat him. I suppose it won't do any harm," she said.

Melody smiled, but looked tentatively at Susan.

"Let him sniff your hand," Susan suggested.

Melody held out her hand. Sandy sniffed it, wagging his tail. He broke into a doggie grin before sitting obediently at the little girl's side, allowing Melody to pat his head.