Chapter Eleven
Henry had fallen asleep again before the end of the episode. He could recall having a nice dream where Cora was cuddled up to him, just sleeping. It had been particularly sweet.
Using the walker and careful of the oxygen line, Henry went about his morning rituals.
Noah and Michael planned on dropping in this morning to visit.
It seemed like since he had moved into Cora’s home, everyone in the family was taking turns to come by and chat about something or other.
Henry supposed it was their way of including both of them in the family.
He hoped they would continue to do it if he passed away. Cora was going to need the help and support.
Today he had a plan. It might backfire, but Henry thought Cora wouldn’t mind.
Henry had dropped a few hints and she had seemed amenable.
Probably he should just come out and ask, but there was a risk Cora might say no.
It would also be good for Nick and Oliver.
Plus, Henry was kind of looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces when he delivered the surprise.
There was the possibility Cora might just get annoyed. However, not enough to kick him out. She wouldn’t do that. Ultimately, she would accept the surprise as well.
Henry managed breakfast with Nick and Oliver.
He learned about Oliver’s upcoming math test. He promised to help go over some problems that night to help him prepare.
That might be a little tricky once he sprung the surprise but Henry would make sure Oliver stuck to his word and got in some practice.
While Cora dropped the kids off at school, Henry slowly cleaned up around the kitchen. He didn’t mind doing some chores while letting his mind think. Plus it made him feel useful which was something he didn’t necessarily feel much these days considering he was now forced to take things slowly.
Wiping down the table and setting the dishwasher to run, Henry grabbed his wallet. Michael and Noah should be here any moment. He hoped to go before Cora got back. Otherwise she might ask questions he wasn’t ready to answer.
The doorbell rang and Henry grinned. Perfect timing. He made his way to the door, perhaps too quickly because he was breathing a little hard as he opened it. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself. Slow down a little,” said a frowning Noah. “It’s not a race to come see us.”
Henry took his coat off the hook near the door. “Cora will be back in five and I would like to get going.”
“Are we supposed to go somewhere?” wondered Noah. He gave Michael a questioning look but his brother just shrugged. “Are you sick of Cora and the kids already? Trying to escape?’
“We are going on an adventure,” stated Henry, ignoring Noah’s remarks about Cora and the kids. Henry enjoyed the busyness that the family provided. It was far preferable to be around the noise and chatter than to be alone.
“An adventure? Sounds like fun,” remarked Noah as they headed to his vehicle. “Want to tell us where?”
“I will give directions. It’s a bit of a surprise. Might get us into a tiny bit of trouble,” mentioned Henry as he tried to breathe evenly and failed. Michael helped him to get situated in the SUV and Henry leaned back, trying to catch his breath. “Well, it might get me into a tiny bit of trouble.”
Noah grinned from the driver’s seat. “This is the Henry I remember. Are we pranking Ben?”
“It’s not a prank, it’s a surprise,” corrected Henry.
Michael made a motion.
“Good surprises only, right?’ interpreted Noah.
“Absolutely. Plus, Michael is sort of an expert. He can help me with choosing the surprise,” mentioned Henry as he watched the scenery go past. It was nice to see the street properly.
Last time, when he moved in with Cora, he had been too tired and intent on seeing the outside of her house.
It was a nice neighborhood, Henry reflected.
A good place to bring up the boys. He felt that Cora had chosen wisely.
Henry sent a quick text to her, saying Noah and Michael were taking him out and would return him in an hour or so.
Letting his phone navigate where they were going, Henry smiled as they pulled up to their destination.
“You’re kidding,” said Noah as he looked at the sign.
“The kids need one,” declared Henry firmly. “It will be good for them. It will teach Nick and Oliver patience and responsibility while giving them a playmate and a confidant to keep all their secrets. They are old enough to handle it.”
“What did Cora say?” wondered Noah suspiciously.
“She didn’t,” replied Henry as he quickly opened his door. He was not going to let Noah deter him. Getting out of the vehicle, Henry waited for Michael to get his walker out. “That’s why it’s a surprise.”
“She might not like it,” warned Noah. “Cora just had a baby, she’s taking care of you, she has two boys, and now you want to add this to the mix.”
“Yes,” calmly replied Henry. He looked at Michael. “A little support here? You have one even though you have four kids.”
“He also has a housekeeper and he got the dog before having the kids. FedEx is fully trained,” dryly mentioned Noah.
Michael gave them both an amused look as he went forward towards the shelter.
“See? Michael is prepared to be my partner in crime,” gloated Henry as much as he was able considering the oxygen and walker. The good news was he was now breathing normally again after resting in the car.
“Fine,” Noah capitulated, putting up his hands in the universal sign of surrender. “You win but you might regret it. And if Cora doesn’t want the dog, I am not taking it for you.”
“I wasn’t about to ask you to give it a home. Cora is going to love a dog,” confidently stated Henry as he walked after Michael towards the animal shelter.
“I hope so,” muttered Noah, getting the door for Henry..
Fifteen minutes later they were looking over the potential candidates for bringing home. At first Henry thought it might be best if the dog were mature and trained. Yet his attention was continually drawn to a half grown yellow lab. The pup kept waving its tail at him, but was quiet.
“What is the story with him?” asked Henry curiously.
“She was brought in a couple months ago. She had an elderly owner who taught her not to jump up. Actually, she is potty trained, sits on command, and is really patient. I think that’s why she’s not as appealing as the other puppies.
Most people want something smaller and enthusiastic if it’s a pup.
When it comes to older dogs, that is where people are looking for trained and quiet,” said the kennel attendant.
“So far, no one has seemed to like Daisy enough to take her home.”
“Can we open the kennel and pet her?” questioned Noah. “Just to see what she is like.”
“Sure. Feel free to open any of the kennels, just one dog out at a time,” agreed the attendant.
Michael opened the door. He backed up, crouching down and holding out a hand to wait patiently. Soon enough, Daisy had come out, sniffing the palm of Michael’s hand.
“She seems friendly,” observed Noah.
Henry was sitting on the seat of the walker. It was easier than standing for a long period of time. He held out his own hand, letting Daisy sniff it before giving her a gentle pet. “Do you want to come home with me, Daisy girl? What do you think?”
Daisy leaned into his hand, closing her eyes and enjoying the petting.
Michael nodded as he rubbed the dog’s back.
“I think that’s a yes from both of them,” said Noah dryly. “However, you might have thought to get the dog for the kids, but it might have just adopted you.”
“I guess I remind her of her previous owner, slow and fragile,” ruefully mentioned Henry. He looked at the attendant. “Everything is up to date? Can we take her today?”
“All her medications are done and Daisy is available for immediate adoption,” confidently stated the attendant. “I will get the paperwork started for you.”
Henry grinned at Daisy. “Cora is going to be surprised when she sees you.”
Twenty minutes later, Henry was back in the SUV with Daisy laying on the floor at his feet. He had a silly smile on his face.
“I think we should drop him off, make sure he gets inside, then make a run for it,” suggested Noah. “That way Cora won’t be able to blame us.”
Michael had a half laugh and shook his head.
“Cora isn’t going to blame anyone,” insists Henry. “She is going to love Daisy. Daisy just might become Cora’s dog.”
They pulled up to the house and Noah put the car in park. “Well, it’s time to find out exactly what Cora thinks.”
Noah helped Henry out of the SUV while Michael held Daisy’s leash.
They had stopped at a pet store to get anything the dog might need, including the preferred food and treats the shelter recommended, before heading back home.
Michael grabbed the purchases as Noah made sure Henry got up the few steps to the front door.
Cora opened the door for them, a confused look on her face as she spied Michael with the bags. “Did you guys go shopping? What is with the dog food?”
“Surprise,” remarked Noah as she caught sight of Daisy.
“Her name is Daisy. She’s for you and the boys. We can’t take her back,” mentioned Henry, trying to contain his pleasure and keep his face serious. “You’ll love her.”
“A dog?” Cora looked at Henry in astonishment. “You got a dog.”
Henry nodded. “The boys need a dog.”
“You can’t just get them a dog,” protested Cora as she let them all into the house.
“I already did,” mentioned Henry. “Her name is Daisy. You should pet her.”
He made his way to the sofa in the living room, sitting down. Immediately Daisy came over, sitting down near him. Henry petted her on the head. “See? She’s a perfectly good dog.”
“He bought a dog,” murmured Cora in bewilderment.
“We know. We were there. I tried to talk him out of it but Michael helped him,” shrugged Noah.
Michael gave his brother a slightly insulted look as he put down the dog food in the pantry.