Chapter 9 Ben #4
An excited yelp brought both Ben and Erik running to find George rolling back and forth on his bed amid the toys, wagging gleefully.
“He probably hasn’t had his things since he was surrendered,” Ben said. “They don’t want the dogs to fight over toys or be possessive, or have toys get destroyed. Guess he really missed them.”
George’s papers said he was trained to ring a bell when he needed to go out, so Ben hung the bell on a rope from his box on the doorknob. After a while, George emerged from the bedroom carrying a dragon in his teeth.
Ben checked his phone for any missed work messages, then set up his laptop and sat on the couch, patting the cushion beside him for George to join him. George glanced at Erik as if double-checking that was allowed, then hopped up and circled a few times before lying down near Ben.
“You look comfortable,” Erik observed. Ben turned on a soft rock music channel and George stretched before curling up again, as if to show he approved.
“I’ll come over to the couch and join you after lunch,” Erik said from where he had his laptop on the table. “Figured it was a good day to update spreadsheets. We can put on a movie later.”
“Sounds like a perfect way to spend an afternoon,” Ben agreed.
George slept soundly, and Ben took that as an indication that their new family member felt safe and comfortable.
He followed whenever one of them went to the bathroom, asking for ear scratches and standing guard.
After George slipped into the bedroom, Ben realized that the dog had repositioned his cushion between the door and their own bed, protecting them.
“Do you think George can sense the objects in the store that carry a little something ‘extra’?” Ben asked. “Or the ghosts?”
“Lots of people say that animals have a sixth sense for that sort of thing, and given his history with Mrs. Thomas, I’d say it’s very likely,” Erik replied.
“I think we should take him to the festival with us this weekend,” Ben said as they ate lunch. “That way he isn’t alone in a new apartment, and he’d probably enjoy being out and about.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Erik said. “You and I can take turns when we’re not doing tours or presentations, although I suspect people would come just to pet the cute dog, no matter what we were talking about.”
After they finished eating, Erik ran back downstairs to check in with Susan and give her a break for lunch. When he came back, he had a small silver charm.
“For his collar,” Erik said. “I noticed he already has a St. George’s medallion.
I remembered that someone brought in jewelry with tarot symbols, which didn’t mean anything to me at the time, but I thought it was appropriate to get one for George.
It’s the High Priestess, which is good for protection and intuition. ”
“That sounds like a good fit,” Ben agreed as Erik fastened the small charm to George’s collar. George shook his head, making his tags jangle.
“I think he approves,” Erik said with a laugh.
They spent the rest of the day working as movies or music played in the background, giving George a chance to settle in. He trotted back and forth between the couch and the table, splitting his time between them, but truly relaxed once they were both on the couch.
“I think he likes it when our whole pack is together,” Ben pointed out. George sprawled between them so that Ben had the head and Erik had the belly.
“He seems to feel comfortable here,” Erik replied. “I’m glad.”
George seemed a little put out that neither of them shared their spaghetti at dinner, but Ben had read that people food wasn’t good for dogs. “Maybe after we go see the vet, buddy,” Ben told George, who managed to look both insulted and sad at the same time.
“We should be able to keep his regular vet, groomer, and trainer, since we’re in the same town as his old owner,” Erik remarked. “That gives us history and keeps things consistent for him.”
That night, George made a point of making a circuit of the whole apartment while they got ready for bed before he curled up on his cushion, keeping himself between them and the door.
“Good night, George.” Ben gave him a last ear skritch before he got into bed. “I’m glad you’re ours.”
After a walk around the block with George and breakfast the next morning, Ben headed for the rental office, leaving George with Erik for the day.
“You didn’t bring George.” Jenny looked disappointed. Ben had sent pictures and let her know about their new addition.
“He’s hanging out with Erik today. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about having him here,” Ben replied.
“As long as he stays out of the ‘pet-free’ rental units, it shouldn’t be an issue,” Jenny said. “Especially not here in the office.”
“He’s got very good manners,” Ben said. “I should get him a bed, water dish, and a few office toys. I think he’ll be good company.” He immediately added those to his online shopping list.
“I remember the tarot card lady.” Jenny leaned against the edge of his desk with her coffee cradled in both hands.
“I never held much with that sort of thing before you and Erik ‘enlightened’ me, but I walked past her shop on the boardwalk all the time. I think she used ‘Madame Mysteria’ for a stage name. Also sold teas and herbal soap that were supposed to calm and relax folks.”
“Did you ever hear people talk about her? We think she might have been the real deal for having some psychic ability,” Ben replied.
“Interesting. I never heard anything bad,” Jenny said. “She was part of the Merchant Alliance, gave gift certificates for the charity auction, and I don’t remember any complaints from customers. I didn’t go to see her, but I have a couple of friends who did. They said she was very accurate.”
The endorsement made Ben happy, glad to know that George’s previous owner wasn’t a fake.
“With all the spooky stuff you and Erik deal with, George should feel right at home,” Jenny added.
“That was one of the things that made us sure he was meant for us,” Ben replied. He didn’t mention the ghost.
“How are we set for the autumn festival?” Jenny asked.
“Erik and I both have our presentations or tours ready,” Ben told her.
“I’m hoping we’ll have good attendance. The topics are pretty popular, so I think we should do well.
Our agents signed up for shifts at the booth, so we’re covered.
I’ve got a new banner for this year for the Nolan Rental Real Estate booth and a bunch of cute Halloween-themed pencils to give away, as well as a case of candy. ”
“I should probably personally sample the candy, for quality control,” Jenny replied with a broad wink.
“Of course,” Ben agreed. “And for anyone who fills out a rental agreement, we’ve got a variety of gift certificates plus a cute little eraser that looks like a house.”
“I like it,” Jenny said. “What’s Erik doing?”
“He doesn’t have a booth, but he’s holding an Open House in the store with special sales,” Ben replied. “I imagine George will be the life of the party.”
“I really appreciate that you and Erik were on the festival committee,” Jenny said. “Gotta keep getting new blood. I remember what the off season was like before we started doing special events, and it was pretty lean sometimes,” Jenny added.
Ben knew that the local library, school district, community college, merchant’s guild, and art council all worked together to bring a broad variety of concerts, seminars, speakers, and festivals so that there were plenty of reasons to visit Cape May in every season, even when it was too cold to swim.
“That’s one of the reasons I decided to come back and stay, even before I met Erik,” Ben said. “It wasn’t the sleepy town I remembered from visiting as a kid.”
“I honestly think that fall is our best time, next to high summer,” Jenny said, helping to sort brochures for the booth.
“There’s the Awesome Autumn Festival, the big Halloween bash that seems to last all of October, and a bunch of stuff around Thanksgiving with concerts and theater and special dining packages for people who don’t do the family get-together thing.
And then Christmas, hoo boy! We’re not exactly Nashville or Dollywood, but we do Christmas and New Year’s Eve up right. ”
Ben smiled at the community pride he heard in Jenny’s voice. His aunt and uncle had been deeply involved in Cape May for decades, and that held Nolan Rental Real Estate in good stead when newer competitors tried to break into the market.
“The man who owned Trinkets before Erik bought it was also pretty involved,” Ben observed. “Erik’s tried to step into the roles he held, where there’s a good fit.”
“He was a nice man and did a lot for the community. Including getting rid of troublesome ghosts before anyone got hurt,” Jenny added, dropping her voice.
“Did anyone take over the tarot shop after Mrs. Thomas passed?” Ben asked.
Jenny shook her head. “We expected someone else to come in—seemed like a natural fit on the boardwalk, at least for the summer. But it sold to a stage magic shop that sells all kinds of props and tricks.”
If Mrs. Thomas had forewarning about her death, Ben wondered if she chose to end the shop’s presence rather than risk her legacy with a new owner, especially if she knew she wouldn’t be around to make sure things were done right.
Ben’s phone alarm went off. “Since it’s quiet and I’m caught up on email, I thought I’d eat lunch at home and see how Erik and George are doing. ”
“Go,” Jenny told him with a shooing gesture. “Take your time. I’ll see you later in the afternoon.”
“Thanks,” Ben said.
Erik was busy with a customer when Ben got to Trinkets, but he found Susan and George in the break room, where George was eating a kibble lunch, and Susan had a sandwich and coffee. Ben grabbed his sandwich from the fridge and poured himself a fresh cup of java.
“How’s it going?” Ben asked.