“I haven’t forgotten!”
“Grandma, can you believe we found a gold ring at the beach today? In the sand! Dad accidentally put his hand in the sand, and there it was!”
“You don’t say!”
“Yeah, Grandma, don’t you believe me?”
“Of course, I believe you, dear.”
“And Dad gave it to Mum right away! It even had a tag on it!”
“A tag?”
“Yeah! Dad explained that the ring probably ended up in the sand by accident from a jewelry store.”
“In the sand?”
“Yeah, Grandma! That’s what he told us. He assured us it wasn’t from someone who drowned or a stolen ring!”
“Well, if Dad said so…”
“Yeah, Grandma! And he said there are tons of rings like that! Alex and I have been digging in that silly sand all week! We want to find just one little ring.”
“Did Alex’s cough go away?”
“Of course, it did. When would he have time to cough?! We’ve been so busy here! How’s Jim doing?”
“He’s doing fine. What have you been eating?”
“Grandma, don’t change the subject. Show him to us!”
Grandma turned her phone camera to the dog. Jim was lying nearby, listening intently to the conversation.
“See? Say hello, Jim.”
“Grandma, why does he look so sad?”
“He’s fine, dear.”
“No! I know what he looks like when he’s fine! Jim! What’s going on with you?!”
Jim thought he heard a familiar voice and wagged his tail.
“Alright, dear, I need to get ready for the allotment. How long are you staying there?”
“Mum wants to extend our stay by two more weeks.”
“Two more weeks?!” Grandma looked at Jim.
“Yeah, we’re having a great time here! If only we could find another ring… Jim, would you like a ring on your collar?”
“Bye, dear.”
***
“Mum, hi! Lisa said it was urgent?”
“Yes. When are you landing back?”
“I’m not sure. We’re really enjoying it here. Maybe a couple more weeks. Why?”
“Nothing! Jim is barely eating!”
“Not eating?!”
“That’s right. Since you left, he just sleeps and stares out the window, running to the door whenever he hears a noise in the hallway.”
“Are you sure you’re giving him the right food?”
“No, of course not! We’re feeding him raw potatoes! Of course, it’s the right food!”
“Geez.”
“Tough luck. You wouldn’t believe how much weight he’s lost.”
“Let me see!”
Grandma showed Jim sleeping.
“Look. Skin and bones.”
“Maybe he should see a vet?”
“What vet? Are you serious? He misses you! It’s been a month now! You’ve never left him alone this long!”
“Mum, I’ll book a vet appointment for him. Please take him.”
“Alright, I’ll do it.”
***
“Mum, hi! How did it go?”
“Oh… Hi. We went. He bit the vet when he tried to weigh him. I couldn’t hold him. I had to put a muzzle on him for the ultrasound.”
“Geez.”
“Yeah, tough luck. He backed into the corner and growled. Where did the energy come from?”
“So, what did the vet say?”
“He said to get some blood work done. Everything seems fine outwardly. Most likely, it’s stress.”
“Why?”
“Why?! You really have to ask?!”
“Mum, don’t yell! We’re stressed too.”
“Oh, do whatever you want…”
***
“Mum, hi. Why so late?”
“I think he’s barely breathing.”
“What?! Our flight is in the morning. Mum, calm down. Don’t cry.”
“He hasn’t eaten anything. Used to have a little at least…”
One of the kids asked from the back:
“Grandma, why are you crying?”
“Sweetie, Jim isn’t well.”
“Dad said… But we’re flying back tomorrow!”
“I’m afraid it might be too late…”
Suddenly, a girl’s face appeared on Grandma’s phone screen.
“No! Grandma, bring the phone closer to him, and turn on the speaker!”
“Dear, he’s…”
“Bring it closer!!!”
She brought the phone near the sleeping dog.
“Jim, can you hear me?! We’re coming home tomorrow! I know you’re upset with us. You think we’ve forgotten you! Jim, listen to me!”
The dog lifted its head and listened carefully.
“I get upset sometimes too, but then I forget about it. What’s the point of staying sad and upset forever? Jim, remember, you’re a Walker! And the Walkers, when things get tough or scary, they don’t give up. Jim Walker, do you really think I’ve forgotten how you bravely stood up to that ridiculous rottweiler when it attacked me?”
“You were half its size, but you protected me! You got a beating for it. And you think I’ve forgotten you after that?!”
The dog weakly wagged its tail.
“Jim Walker, I’m asking you to go to the kitchen and eat those brown pellets! Off to the kitchen!”
The dog slowly walked to the kitchen and started eating from its bowl.
***
When they arrived the next morning, Jim forgave them. But not instantly. It took about five minutes. At first, he turned his back, went to his corner, then ran up and licked everyone all over. They were dirty, of course. From the journey.
