Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 94 - The Puppy

Greg and Susan were entertaining their friends Richard, Marion and their family on the first Saturday in May. The topic of discussion for the entire evening was the idea of getting a puppy the two families would in some ways share. The dog would primarily belong to the Abernathys, but since Richard would be heavily involved in the training, the animal would spend time with his family as well, preparing them for the day when Richard felt the twins were old enough to have a dog too.

Matt ended up barbequing the steaks while Greg and Richard spent time in the library, contacting breeders and making arrangements for a visit. By the time they all sat down for dinner that evening, their plans had been made.

"The breeder in Ojai is able to see us tomorrow afternoon," Greg announced after the blessing, while the food was being served.

"Are we all going to see the puppies?" Zack asked.

"Everyone who is available can go," Susan told him, looking at Ashley and Matt.

"I can't. I have a shift at McDonald's tomorrow afternoon," Ashley said.

"I thought you were going to quit," Matt said.

"I was going to ... but then Dave offered me these hours right after church ... and we need the money, Matt. There is no way around it. Tuition costs are going up next year," Ashley said.

Matt frowned, but what he said was, "Yeah, okay."

"Aren't you working too?" Ashley asked her husband.

"I'm working tonight from eight until closing and tomorrow evening," Matt told her. "Depending on what time you go, I should be available in the afternoon."

"What about you, Zack?" Susan asked.

"I'm not working tomorrow. I can go," Zack said.

And so it was, the next day immediately after the early service at church, the Abernathys plus Matt and Zack piled into their extra-large SUV and took a family trip to a small town located in the hills inland from where they lived. It was nearby as the crow flies, but the roads leading to the place where the breeder lived were mountain roads, crooked and relatively slow to travel on. It took more than an hour to get to Ojai. Once they found the address, a place along a country road a little ways outside the town, they discovered Richard, Marion, Charlie, and Melissa were there ahead of them, waiting for them.

"You found it," Richard said with a grin.

"We are here," Greg agreed as the entire family piled out of the car. "Have you been here before?"

"Once," Richard said.

"Then you know which way to go," Greg said.

"Daddy, can we please see the puppies, now?" Charlie demanded.

"We're not going to get one today, Charlie," Richard told him. "We're just going to visit them with Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy."

At that, Charlie turned to Greg next.

"Mr. Abernathy, can we go see the puppies? Please?" Charlie begged.

"I'm ready when you are," Greg told the little boy. "Richard, lead the way."

Richard led their group of ten towards the farmhouse they were parked in front of. Most of them waited on the front walk, just outside a low picket fence while Richard walked up to the front door and rang the bell.

"We're to meet her by the kennels out in back," Richard told them when he returned.

"Who?" Matt asked.